The Property Brokers Manawatū Jets (3-4, 8th) v Steelformers Taranaki Airs (4-2, 5th)
The Jets went down in a physical team just two days ago but will need to dig deep on their home court as a second consecutive physical affair awaits. Will the Jets be able to take care of business on their home floor to sweep the season series? Or will a full strength starting lineup for the Airs be able to return the favour by stealing a road win?
When: Sunday 13th April, Rapid League 5:30pm, Sal's NBL 6:30pm Where: Fly Palmy Arena,
Watch: Live in New Zealand on Sky Sport 6 | USA: ESPN3 | International: FIBA YouTube
Box score here
Last Time Out:
The Jets are two from visiting the Rams, where they kept pace into the second quarter when a Corey Webster (16pts, 5rbs, 3ast) jumper cut Canterbury's lead to 1 at 27-26, But then Kyle Bowen (17pts, 16rbs, 5ast) helped drive a 15-0 run from which the Jets would never truly recover. They would make a 17-8 run with input from Webster, Dontae Russo-Nance (22pts, 8rbs, 7ast) and Kenny Goins (14pts, 5rbs, 21 min) in particular, but the Rams would push them back to arms length. When Goins would foul out with a Technical for his troubles the Jets hopes faded until the Rams eventually secured the 92-81 victory.
Seven days ago Taranaki traveled to Nelson and powered their way to an 18-point lead early in the second quarter as Armon Fletcher (25pts, 7rbs, 3ast, 4stl) starred. The Giants would shoot their way back in the game behind Hayden Jones and Bryce Johnson, whose triple early in the third tied the game at 52. From there it was all Airs as they would cruise to 108 -93 win where all 5 starters scored double figures in a balanced attack epitomised by Owen Foxwell's 13 assists.
What to Look for
The Jets find 32% of their shots at the rim and 38% from behind the arc. They often work the pick and roll, predominantly through Dontae Russo Nance (20.9ppg, 5.4rpg, 4.6ast) and Corey Webster (24.7ppg, 5.5rpg, 6.3ast), with Kenny Goins (11.3ppg, 6.7rb) working the pop and Miles Gibson (21.4ppg, 8.9rb, 40% 3pfg) shooting from the weakside. Isaac Miller-Jose has lifted the height and athleticism of the front line and most importantly added to the depth of a team that was in desperate need of it all those attributes. They take great care of the ball but don't punish teams with the pass to enough of a degree to force deter help side defense from committing to the ball.
The Airs will have quite the size advantage across the frontline with Jack Andrew (15.2ppg, 8.8reb) returning to his former team flanked by Harry Froling (23.3ppg, 10.5reb) and Carlin Davison (21.7ppg, 8.5rb, 4.8ast) while Armon Fletcher will enjoy similar advantages on the wing. When they aren't throwing it into the post they eat a steady diet of pick and roll through Owen Foxwell (14.4ppg, 9.6ast), and increasingly Davison, but when that fails they have a pretty good chance of hitting the glass successfully.
Small Sample Size Stats:
| Stat | Jets | Airs |
| Scoring Offense | 97.14ppg (2nd) | 99ppg (1st) |
| Effective Field Goal % | 52% (7th) | 52% (5th) |
| Free Throw Rate | 25% (9th) | 37% (1st) |
| Three Point Rate | 38% (3rd) | 33% (last) |
| Three Point % | 33% (4th) | 32% (9th) |
| Turnover Rate | 8% (1st) | 13% (7th) |
| Assist Rate | 53% 11th | 55% (8th) |
| Offensive Rebound Rate | 5th (27%) | 30% (4th) |
| Defensive Rebound Rate | 74% (6th) | 80% (1st) |
| Block Rate | 10% (2nd) | 10% (4th) |
| Steal Rate | 11% (4th) | 11% (3rd) |
Matchup to Watch: Corey Webster v Armon Fletcher - Webster has been carrying a heavy minutes load and delivering key buckets throughout the season but the length of Fletcher could be the kryptonite to his superhuman like scoring ability.
all advanced stats courtesy of spatialjam.com
