NBS Nelson Giants (7-11, 9th) v Jadcup Auckland Tuatara (8-9, 2nd)
The Giants late-season push continues as they look to win their fourth straight and move one step closer to realising a post-season dream that seemed out of reach just a month ago. But the Tuatara have finals aspirations of their own and will be looking to reverse recent form to solidify their tenuous hold on sixth position on the ladder. Will the Giants' resurgence roll on, or will the Tuatara come together to stop their slide and edge closer to the finals?
When: Wednesday 25th June, Rapid League 6pm, Sal's NBL 7pm
Where: Trafalgar Centre, Nelson
Watch: Live in New Zealand on Sky Sport 2 | USA: ESPN3 | International: FIBA YouTube |
Last Time Out:
Nelson travelled to New Plymouth hoping to keep their late-season surge alive, while the Airs were looking to bounce back and move closer to securing a home eliminator final. The Giants’ defense was impressive, holding the Airs to 38% shooting and just 17% from three. Alex Robinson (25pts, 2rbs, 6asts, 5stls) and Andrew Jones (21pts, 6rbs, 3asts, 4stls) terrorised the passing lanes to create easy opportunities. Armon Fletcher (20pts, 5rbs) was the Airs’ most consistent weapon, but 15 turnovers proved too much to overcome—especially when allowing 22 more free throw attempts (Airs 11-15, Giants 25-37). Nelson kept their opponents at arm’s length throughout, eventually claiming the 82-71 victory.
Auckland hosted Southland with both teams sitting on the Final 6 bubble, but entering in contrasting form—the Sharks riding a four-game win streak, while the Tuatara were looking to rebound from a loss. From the tip, the Sharks looked more composed as Keylan Boone (19pts, 6rbs, 6asts, 2stls, 3blks) found his range from deep, while bigs Josiah Allick (13pts, 15rbs, 3asts, 1blk) and Sam Timmins (20pts, 10rbs, 2asts) dominated the offensive glass. The Tuatara never found their rhythm, with Buay Tuach, Luther Muhammad and Charles Pride combining to shoot just 11-of-42 from the floor. Despite efforts from Rob Loe, Tom Vodanovich and Dan Fotu on the interior, the Tuatara were outrebounded by 15. A third-quarter scoring flurry pushed the Sharks’ lead to 14, enough to withstand Auckland’s late rally, Southland earning an 86-80 win.
What to Expect:
The Giants have shifted to a slower, grind-it-out pace, focusing less on the perimeter and more on paint penetration—either off the dribble or through precise passing. Combs remains their top scoring option, pairing bruising post play with soft touch and solid facilitation. Robinson and Jones provide penetration off the bounce, while Cal McRae brings unmatched size. However, his impact depends on deep catches, and a matchup with Rob Loe will challenge him to operate outside his comfort zone. Liam Judd has capitalised on increased opportunity, cutting from the weak side and scoring in transition while hitting threes at a 45% clip. Depth is a concern with three players away with the Junior Tall Blacks, but veterans Sam Dempster, James Matthews, and Alex McNaught provide reliable minutes. Their 3-point shooting has cratered of late (1-14 3FG last game, league-low 3P rate overall), giving the Tuatara the green light to pack the paint and defend the rim without fearing the outside shot.
The Tuatara will look to lift their offensive efficiency after struggling to generate consistent scoring in their last outing. Their defense kept them in the game, but the bigger concern lies in rebounding—especially against a Giants squad similarly focused on paint scoring. Muhammad remains a premier scorer out of pick-and-roll situations, with Vodanovich and Loe working well as roll/pop partners. Dan Fotu has provided energy off the bench, particularly on the offensive glass, though his minutes have been limited. Tuach, Pride, and Zach Riley round out the guard rotation, and at least one of them will need to click offensively to keep the Tuatara’s attack balanced. Dylan Wilkie has carved out more minutes recently and adds a long-range threat. The collective effort will need to focus on boxing out and limiting fouls—a tall order against a physical Giants team that relentlessly attacks the interior
Matchup to Watch: Alex Robinson v Luther Muhammad & - Two of the league’s premier perimeter tone-setters go head-to-head in a battle of tempo and toughness. Robinson has been electric during the Giants’ late-season surge, combining disruptive defense with a calm command of the offense. He’s a menace in passing lanes and fearless getting downhill, often dictating the flow on both ends. But standing in his way is last season's MVP Luther Muhammad, a solid defender who offensively brings a strong mid-range game and physical drives, making this a true two-way chess match that could tip the balance of backcourt dominance.
Stats that Might Matter:
| Stat | Giants | Tuatara |
| Scoring Offense | 88.72 (6th) | 87.41 (8th) |
| Scoring Defense | 89.94 (6th) | 90.44 (7th) |
| Effective Field Goal % | 51% (7th) | 51% (9th) |
| Field Goal % Defense | 46% (8th) | 45% (7th) |
| Free Throw Rate | 31% (2nd) | 29% (5th) |
| Free Throw % | 68% (10th) | 70% (6th) |
| Three Point Rate | 34% (last) | 42% (4th) |
| Three Point % | 31% (9th) | 31% (6th) |
| Turnover Rate | 13% (5th) | 13% (8th) |
| Assist Rate | 61% (2nd) | 57% (5th) |
| Offensive Rebound Rate | 29% (3rd) | 24% (10th) |
| Defensive Rebound Rate | 72% (6th) | 76% (3rd) |
| Block Rate | 6% (8th) | 6% (9th) |
| Steal Rate | 10% (6th) | 8% (9th) |
all advanced stats courtesy of spatialjam.com
