Mills Albert Wellington Saints (7-2, 1st) v Big Barrel Hawks (5-5, 8th)
The Saints look to keep themselves above the pack with a win to stay atop the ladder while the Hawks come to town desperate to find wins that will keep them apace the top six. Will the offensive prowess of the Saints be too much for the Hawks to handle or will an understrength Hawks find a way to win and to knock the Saints off the top rung on the ladder.
When: Sunday 27th April, Rapid League 1:30pm, Sal's NBL 2:30pm
Where: TSB Arena, Wellington
Watch: Live in New Zealand on Sky Open & Sky Sport 3 | USA: ESPN3 | International: FIBA YouTube
Box score here
Last Time Out:
The Saints welcomed their Cook Strait rivals who were down an import but hoping for some addition by subtraction. The game stayed tight in the first half as the Giants Callum Dalton (14pts, 9rbs, 7ast) found space on the interior to keep things close but a late Saints flurry saw them finish the half with a 6 point lead. In the second half the Saints class rose as Nick Marshall (28pts, 12rbs) and Nick Muszynski (18pts, 5rbs) began to find space as the squad imposed their will on the game to dominate the second half and win 105-65.
The Hawks hosted the Bulls and the two teams traded blows in a first half where both teams tasted the lead but couldn't pull completely away, but things changed early in the third quarter when Darnell Cowart (13pts, 3rbs) went down with injury allowing the Bulls bigs Davide Okwera (16pts, 13rbs) and Till Gloger (13pts, 8rbs) to take advantage down low. But the Hawks would battle back behind Dan Grida (23pts, 9rbs) to take a fourth quarter lead. Enter Tae Hardy (20pts, 5rbs, 4ast) who dominated down the stretch to let the Bulls pull away for the 88-80 ANZAC day victory
What to Look For:
The Saints come into the game well rested with nearly a week between games and playing with confidence having won 5 straight while topping 93 in four consecutive games. The have a tough defensive backcourt in Izayah Le'afa (13.8ppg, 6apg) and Shea Ili (18.3ppg, 7.7apg) while Nick Marshall (19.7ppg, 6.8rpg) has the ability to carry the offensive load. Upfront Nick Muszynski (15.2ppg, 8.6rpg) will have a strength advantage and Hyrum Harris (15.7ppg, 10.8rpg, 5apg) will look to get involved in everything.
The Hawks are down a couple of players as Darnell Cowart (back) and Clifton Bush III (stitches) are out with injuries. This will make it tougher for the Hawks up front, as Luca Yates (6.6ppg, 9.rpg) will need to hold the fort up front. Jackson Ball (22.2ppg) has seen his scoring drop since the roster found full strength but still often finds the ball in his hands for moments that matter. Dan Grida (27.4ppg, 7.8rpg) is this teams engine but he will need Wani Swaka Lo Buluk (14ppg) and Campbell Scott (11.6ppg) to find some form from deep to help carry the scoring load against a defense that can prove difficult.
Matchup to Watch: Shea Ili & Nick Marshall v Jackson Ball & Dan Grida - It will be fascinating to watch the present and the future of the Tall Blacks backcourt match up as Ili will introduce Ball to a few new defensive tricks, while Marshall and Grida will be expected to provide the offensive firepower for their clubs, if either can't get it going it could prove difficult for their teams.
Stats that Might Matter:
| Stat | Saints | Hawks |
| Scoring Offense | 98.56 (4th) | 93.30 (5th) |
| Scoring Defense | 87.00ppg (4th) | 92.90 (7th) |
| Effective Field Goal % | 56% (2nd) | 55% (4th) |
| Field Goal % Defense | 43% (2nd) | 44% (4th) |
| Free Throw Rate | 28% (6th) | 31 %(4th) |
| Free Throw % | 77% (1st) | 73% (4th) |
| Three Point Rate | 40% (7th) | 38% (9th) |
| Three Point % | 38% (2nd) | 30% (10th) |
| Turnover Rate | 12% (9th) | 15% (4th) |
| Assist Rate | 64% (2nd) | 54% (4th) |
| Offensive Rebound Rate | 25% (9th) | 22% (10th) |
| Defensive Rebound Rate | 77% (2nd) | 70% (10th) |
| Block Rate | 9% (8th) | 6% (4th) |
| Steal Rate | 8% (7th) | 9% (4th) |
all advanced stats courtesy of spatialjam.com
