Southland Sharks (6-6, 8th) Big Barrel Hawks (7-6, 6th)
The Sharks have won four out of five games have added a premiere big man and are pushing hard to get into the top six to secure a finals spot. But in come the Hawks, with a full strength lineup and looking to capture a bit of consistency after dropping their last game. If the Sharks take the win they will grab a top six spot and push the Hawks out of finals contention for the first time this season. It's all on the line in Southland tonight!
When: Thursday 22nd May, Rapid League 6pm, Sal's NBL 7pm
Where: ILT Stadium Southland
Watch: Live in New Zealand on Sky Sport 2 | USA: ESPN3 | International: FIBA YouTube
Box score here
Last Time Out:
The Sharks invited Otago to matriculate down the country for the second Southern Stoush of the season, and also welcomed Sam Timmins into the lineup, giving them a full strength lineup for the first time this season. The Nuggets, down an import after releasing Jose Perez, battled gamely in the first half, grabbing an early lead behind strong play by Jono Janssen (21pts, 10rbs, 3ast). The Sharks stayed close behind the shot making of Keylan Boone (31pts, 7-15 3pfg, 6rbs) and the incredible offensive rebounding of Josiah Allick (12pts, 19rbs, 14 offensive), but when Don Carey Jr (26pts, 4rbs, 9ast) hit a triple just before the half the score was all tied up. Things stayed tight into the 4th quarter as the Nugs took a 3-point lead, but that was when Caleb Asberry (26pts, 4rbs, 6ast) started to find space to the tune of 14 fourth quarter points and with the support of Boone, who had 13 fourth quarter points, the game was put out of reach with the Sharks taking a 91-80 win.
The Hawks hosted an improved Giants squad and were still without Darnell Cowart (back) and being down a big body enabled Jeremy Combs to carve out space on the block, taking advantage of smaller defenders to the tune of 36pts, 11rbs, and 5ast. Dan Grida (28pts, 10rbs, 5ast) and Jackson Ball (22pts, 4ast) would offer plenty of resistance, but with Alex Robinson (16pts, 7rbs, 10ast) chasing a triple double and Andrew Jones (18pts) slotting in nicely, the Giants would dominate the second half, especially on the interior, to take a 98-82 win.
What to Expect:
The Sharks have found new form, winning 4 out of 5 to thrust themselves into the finals chase. They've found balance on offense with the shooting of Boone (21.7ppg, 7.8rpg, 2ast, 1stl), the penetration and facilitation of Asberry (15.8ppg, 7.1apg, 4.4rpg) and the work-rate of Allick (20.8ppg, 11.3rpg, 2.5ast). The partnership between Timmins and Allick is still forming and the Sharks will need to sort how to balance the floor with the lack of shooting but an uplift on the o-boards and control of the paint defensively should be part of their gameplan. No team shoots better from deep or has a higher percentage of buckets from assists but this is tempered with a high turnover rate, taking them from their efficient best. They will need to stay out of foul trouble as their depth isn't quite there but they have enough to pull off a win on their home court.
The Hawks will welcome back Cowart (17.5ppg, 8.4rpg, 4.7apg) for the first time in 3 games and his arrival comes at just the right time against a big Sharks lineup. His fitness will be key, especially against the relentlessness of Allick, but the Hawks can also lean on the rebounding of Luca Yates (7.6ppg, 12.4rpg) who has been stellar in this area. Ball continues to play at a high level but has been content to let his teammates carry the load while he picks his spots to lift his offensive aggression. Grida (26.4ppg, 8.3rpg), the leading scorer in the league, is the Hawks offensive engine in the half court with his penetration and his unwavering pushing of the pace in transition and that pace is well suited to lift the contributions of Wani Swaka Lo Buluk (14.8ppg, 3.4rpg) as well. Their depth is filled with capable youth, but if Campbell Scott (10.9ppg, 3.4apg, 34%3pfg) could heat up from deep that would create more space for the penetrators to work with. Most importantly there needs to be a collective effort on the glass to ensure the possession game stays in their favour.
Matchup to Watch: Keylan Boone v Dan Grida - When these players fire for their teams they are automatically in the game. Boone does his best work with volume 3-point shooting and abusing size mismatches. Grida is all kinetic energy, pushing the pace and hitting top acceleration in the halfcourt and in transition. If either gets the upper hand, or can find a way to dominate defensively, that will go a long way towards securing a victory.
Stats that Might Matter:
| Stat | Sharks | Hawks |
| Scoring Offense | 89.58 (7th) | 91.54 (4th) |
| Scoring Defense | 92.25 (8th) | 91.46 (5th) |
| Effective Field Goal % | 56% (9th) | 54% (4th) |
| Field Goal % Defense | 45% (6th) | 44% (4th) |
| Free Throw Rate | 24% (10th) | 32% (2nd) |
| Free Throw % | 75% (2nd) | 74% (3rd) |
| Three Point Rate | 46% (2nd) | 39% (8th) |
| Three Point % | 37% (1st) | 31% (10th) |
| Turnover Rate | 16% (10th) | 15% (9th) |
| Assist Rate | 65% (1st) | 53% (10th) |
| Offensive Rebound Rate | 26% (8th) | 23% (11th) |
| Defensive Rebound Rate | 72% (7th) | 72% (8th) |
| Block Rate | 9% (4th) | 5% (11th) |
| Steal Rate | 9% (8th) | 8% (11th) |
all advanced stats courtesy of spatialjam.com
