NBS Nelson Giants (0-5, 11th) v The Northern Group Tauranga Whai (4-2, 4th)
The Giants hit their home court again desperate to take their first win of the season but the Whai come to town with a stingy defense and needing a win to keep pace with the top of the ladder.
When: Saturday 12th April, Rapid League 6:30pm Sal's NBL 7:30pm
Where: Trafalgar Centre, Nelson
Watch: Live in New Zealand on Sky Sport 6 | USA: ESPN3 | International: FIBA YouTube
Box score here
Last Time Out:
The Giants last took their homecourt 1 week ago to take on a burly Taranaki Airs squad that took early control of the game as Armon Fletcher (25pts, 7rbs) got loose on the perimeter while Harry Froling (22pts) and Jack Andrew (20pts) found space on the interior to push the lead to 18-points. Hayden Jones (20pts) and Bryce Johnson (14pts, 6tbs) would power the Giants back into the game but Owen Foxwell (18pts, 13asts) would direct the Airs back in front and helm the squad to a 108-93 victory.
The Whai hosted a first time full strength Hawks on their home court and leapt into a 7 point 1st quarter lead behind the strong play of Chris Jones (14pts, 6rbs, 4ast) but then Dan Grida (30pts, 7rbs) and Jackson Ball (18pts, 9-12 fgs) found the space needed to guide what was a balanced offensive attack as the visitors would build the lead to 20 points before eventually claiming a 86-74 win.
What to Look For:
The Giants have a new PG!! Alex Robinson has flown south for winter and brought his premiere ability as a facilitator to lift the offensive attack in Nelson. His penetration skill should enable three point shooters to find a bit more space. His addition should help Bryce Johnson (17.8ppg, 7.2rpg, 46%3pfg) should excel in pick and pop action while Liam Judd (12.4ppg, 63% 3pfg) should find extra opportunities in transition with the skills of Robinson setting him up. Hayden Jones (11.8ppg, 4rpg) has been finding a higher level of activity and will get to bring his punch off the bench. They'll need to lift their effort on the glass as a collective and be careful with the ball but should be confident that the first win of the season isn't far away.
Chris Jones (17.7rpg, 4apg) has been bowling his way down the and hitting from deep with enough consistency to keep the d honest while Kruz Perrott-Hunt (16.8ppg) has found room executing in the half court while Sean Bairstow (11.2ppg, 7.8rpg) offense has been finding a higher level with 3 straight double digit games but will need to find space outside of the transition game to help lift the Whai in the half-court. Carter Hopoi (12.5ppg, 4.5rpg) flashes his top level athleticism to keep defenses honest but he and Talib Zanna (8.8ppg, 7.6rpg) will need to control the glass to give the squad a chance to win on the road.
Small Sample Size Stats:
The Giants sit 11th in scoring offense (82.2ppg) while sitting last in free throw percentage (61%) and 8th in free throw rate (26%). Their efficiency sits 9th (51% effective field goal percentage) and they have the 3rd highest assist rate (62%), 7th best turnover rate (62%), the 4th lowest 3-point rate (38%) while shooting the 6th best 3-point percentage (33%). Defensively the have the 3rd worst defensive rating (120) while giving up the 3rd most points (93.40ppg) as opponents shoot 49% from the field against them (10th) while claiming the 7th best defensive rebounding rate (74%).
The Whai sit 9th is scoring offense (83ppg) and have the 2nd worst effective field goal percentage (45%), 5th highest free throw rate (27%) but the best free throw percentage (76%) all of which contributes to the 10th best offensive rating in the league (105). They shoot the second lowest percentage from deep (29%) but have the second highest 3-point rate (45%) but take to the glass with the leagues 3rd best offensive rebounding rate (31%). Defensively they have the best scoring defense in the league (75.33ppg) while limiting opponents to the second lowest shooting from the floor (42%fg) and lowest shooting from deep (25%) while giving up the lowest 3-point rate (30%)
Matchup to Watch: Alex McNaught v Chris Jones- McNaught is a tough and physical defender that can slow down most opposition guards but Jones is a powerful player that is tough to stop. If McNaught and his Giants teammates can slow down Jones they have a chance to pull out the win but if Jones finds space and hits 15
all advanced stats courtesy of spatialjam.com
