The Northern Group Tauranga Whai (5-6, 8th) v Steelformers Taranaki Airs (6-4, 5th)
The Whai have made some big changes as they look to recapture the early season form that had them at the top of the ladder but coming to town is an Airs team that will display a different look of their own. Can the new look Tauranga take down Taranaki on their home court to hit .500 or will the airs take a step closer to the group of teams with 8 wins at the top of the ladder?
When: Wednesday 15th May, Rapid League 6pm, Sal's NBL 7pm
Where: Mercury Baypark Arena, Tauranga
Watch: Live in New Zealand on Sky Sport 2 | USA: ESPN3 | International: FIBA YouTube
Box score here
Last Time Out
The Whai may have been on the wrong end of the best finish to a game this season as they visited the Hawk as Carter Hopoi (24pts, 5rbs, 1blk) lifted the team to a tie score heading into the 4th-quarter. When the Whai went up 7 with 1:24 remaining it looked like they had secured the victory. but an unbelievable 4-point play by Kobe Kara (6pts, 10rbs) gave the Hawks a 1-point lead with 16 seconds to play. Jayden Bezzant (21pts, 4ast, 3rbs) answered as he has so many times before with a three, grabbing a 2-point lead with 3 seconds on the clock. But when Luca Yates (10pts, 17rbs) received the inbound turned and released a three point prayer (shooting under 20%3pfg coming in) was answered at the buzzer, thrusting the hawks nest into a frenzy with the 88-87 win.
The Airs hosted the Saints, looking to sweep the season series following a double overtime thriller that opened both teams seasons. The Saints jumped out to an early lead as the backcourt of Shea Ili (20pts, 4rbs, 3ast, 3stls, 1blk) and Izayah Le'afa (22pts, 5ast, 1blk, 1stl) looked to impose their will on the bigger Airs squad. But Taranaki would rally as Owen Foxwell (16pts, 4rbs, 4ast) pushed the squad to a 1 point quarter time deficit as the Airs size controlled the paint paced by Jack Andrew (23pts, 14rbs, 2blks). But the balance would shift back to the Saints as they stiffened on the interior down the stretch to dominate the 4th quarter 18-6 to grab the 12 point victory to grab the win, knocking the Airs down to 5th on the ladder.
What to Expect:
The Whai will have a new look as Talib Zanna and Chris Jones head towards new pastures and Anzac Risetto and Sean Murphy come in, but with Risetto unavailable they will be at a size disadvantage and looking to appoint a new full time ball handler. Zanna was playing limited minutes with varying levels of effectiveness but the loss of Jones will be felt until his void can be filled. Look for Jayden Bezzant (8.8ppg) to get rewarded for his hot play of late with more court time while he splits ball handling duties with Kruz Perrott-Hunt (15.5ppg, 2.2apg), both of whom are more than capable of carrying the load. Hopoi (11.9ppg, 4.5rpg) has been a better than expected scorer, but needs some help to control the glass at this stage of his career. Their stingy defense will be tested by the pace and strength of the Airs, but if they can tip the possession game with a defensive pressure leading to steals and, most importantly, keep the Airs off the offensive glass they will be in the game down the stretch.
The Airs no longer have the biggest frontcourt in the league with the just dropped news that Harry Froling was given a release from his contract, which will test a team that had become dependent on the o boards and post work he supplied. Jack Andrew (17.3ppg, 9.7rpg) will now draw more attention, which could hurt his production, but he has played at a high level all season long and that should continue and Quintin Bailey (3.9ppg, 3.9rpg) has the size and skills to step into a larger role if needed.. Owen Foxwell (18.6ppg, 8.8apg, 2.4stls) will be tasked with a larger responsibility in keeping the offense rolling and will be up to the task. With the departure of Froling Carlin Davison (18.9ppg, 7.1rpg, 5.6apg) becomes the most important piece for the Airs offense, he'll get a bit more attention but with a big removed from the court he could find more space to operate, a dangerous proposition for defenses tasked with slowing him down.
Matchup to Watch: Owen Foxwell v Kruz Perrott-Hunt - These two guards have the ability to create opportunities for their teammates but may be more dangerous when they have their eye in and are more aggressive in looking for their own offense. If either can force a few turnovers from their counterpart
Stats that Might Matter:
| Stat | Whai | Airs |
| Scoring Offense | 83.91 (10th) | 97.80 (3rd) |
| Scoring Defense | 82.45 (1st) | 94.50 (9th) |
| Effective Field Goal % | 48% (11th) | 53% (6th) |
| Field Goal % Defense | 45% (6th) | 44% (5th) |
| Free Throw Rate | 27% (7th) | 34% (1st) |
| Free Throw % | 72% 6th) | 72% (5th) |
| Three Point Rate | 43% (4th) | 35% (12th) |
| Three Point % | 32% (9th) | 33% (8th) |
| Turnover Rate | 11% (10th) | 13% (7th) |
| Assist Rate | 55% (9th) | 56% (7th) |
| Offensive Rebound Rate | 29% (5th) | 30% (2nd) |
| Defensive Rebound Rate | 70% (11th) | 76% (3rd) |
| Block Rate | 6% (10th) | 10% (3rd) |
| Steal Rate | 11% (2nd) | 10% (5th) |
all advanced stats courtesy of spatialjam.com
