Southland Sharks (5-5, 8th) Wheeler Motor Company Canterbury Rams (7-2, 1st)
The Sharks have taken three straight to swim into the thick of the chase for the postseason and welcome a Rams squad whose best has been a level above, even if that level has only been intermittently achieved. Will the Sharks take down the back-to-back defending champs or will the Rams swim safely in the shark tank?
When: Saturday 3rd May, Rapid League 6:30pm, Sal's NBL 7:30pm
Where: Franklin Pool and Leisure Centre, Franklin
Watch: Live in New Zealand on Sky Sport 4 | USA: ESPN3 | International: FIBA YouTube
Box score here
Last Time Out:
The Sharks last took the court 8 days ago as the welcomed a Giants squad that was desperately seeking its first win that featured a new look front line in Callum McRae (14pts, 11rbs) and Jeremy Combs (19pts, 6rbs, 5ast) who had instant impact. But that impact didn't slow down a hot shooting Sharks unit that hit 13 triples (to the Giants 5), with 3 apiece between Tukaha Cooper (17pts, 3-3 3pfg) and Caleb Asberry( 17pts, 9ast, 3-7 3pfg). With Josiah Allick (21pts, 15rbs, 5ast) imprinting himself on the game once again the Sharks would overwhelm the Giants as the stormed to a 97-76 victory.
The Rams were ready but unable to get out of the starting blocks earlier in the week due to the postponement of their last scheduled match against the Panthers, resulting in their suspension. But prior to that Auckland welcomed Canterbury to the Sanctuary as they looked to exact some regular season revenge on the team that had taken the championship out of their hands the previous two seasons. But it was the Rams who played like they were looking for vengeance as they put on a clinic in Auckland and dominated the Tuatara scoring a league season high 131 points to claim a 53 point victory. C.J. Penha (35pts, 9rbs) and Sean MacDonald (31pts) leading the scoring as the Rams dominated for all 40 minutes.
What to Expect:
The Sharks have developed into an efficient offense that is lifted by pinpoint accurate three point shooting led by Keylan Boone (21.3ppg, 7.5rpg, 47%3pfg), Alonzo Burton (10.9ppg, 44% 3pfg) and Tukaha Cooper (10.4ppg, 42% 3pfg). That space outside often gets created by Josiah Allick's (22.3ppg, 10.9rpg) energy, as he attacks the glass, but that will be a much more difficult task for him against a full strength Rams front line. Caleb Asberry (13.8ppg, 7.6apg, 4.5rpg) has been a key performer down the stretch of games in recent wins, but will need to be tempered with possession against a tough Rams D.
The Rams have been rotating through their depth of late, allowing a full court defensive effort to be unleashed on opponents while operating on high speed offensively. That offense is spearheaded by Taylor Britt (18ppg, 6.8apg) and Sean MacDonald (23.5ppg) who can find their way to the rim but possibly more dangerous off the jump shot, in the mid range or beyond three. Up front Kyle Bowen (13.3ppg, 8.5rpg) and Tohi Smith-Milner (14.9ppg, 8.7rpg) have been a rugged combo who stretch defenses with their range and are backed up by C.J. Penha (17.5ppg, 7.3rpg), and Max Darling (9.5ppg, 4.4rpg) who provide similar problems. Walter Brown (10.3ppg, 5.7rpg) can matchup anywhere defensively and there is a ton of depth with the Isaac brothers (Kaia 10.7ppg, 4rpg and Tama 13.1ppg, 4.8apg) topping the list.
Matchup to Watch: Keylan Boone v Walter Brown - Boone had been on a tear offensively, hitting 20 points or more in 5 straight game before dropping 15 last time out, but when hot he lifts the Sharks to another level. Brown could be the perfect foil for his skillset, with the length, speed and strength to make scoring difficult.
Stats that Might Matter:
| Stat | Sharks | Rams |
| Scoring Offense | 90.50 (3rd) | 99.00 (3rd) |
| Scoring Defense | 89.90 (5th) | 85.33 (3rd) |
| Effective Field Goal % | 57% (1st) | 55 (2nd) |
| Field Goal % Defense | 45% (6th) | 44% (5th) |
| Free Throw Rate | 57% (1st) | 23% (last) |
| Free Throw % | 76% (2nd) | 65% (11th) |
| Three Point Rate | 48% (1st) | 41% (5th) |
| Three Point % | 38% (1st) | 35% (5th) |
| Turnover Rate | 15% (2nd) | 11% (11th) |
| Assist Rate | 66% (1st) | 58% (5th) |
| Offensive Rebound Rate | 25% (8th) | 33% (1st) |
| Defensive Rebound Rate | 72% (10th) | 74% (6th) |
| Block Rate | 9% (5th) | 10% (3rd) |
| Steal Rate | 9% (7th) | 10 % 4th(4th) |
all advanced stats courtesy of spatialjam.com
