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Eliminator Preview: Southland Sharks v Auckland Tuatara

Southland Sharks (12–8, 4th) v Jadcup Auckland Tuatara (10-10, 6th)

Two teams that got off to less than ideal starts to the season will meet with a spot in the semi-finals on the line. The Sharks have 7 games in a row and look a powerful blend of size and skill while the Tuatara have a mini streak of two of their own after reshaping their lineup on the fly. Will the Sharks keep the streak alive or will the Tuatara get to keep chasing their fourth consecutive championship game experience?

When:  Thursday 10th July, Eliminator Final 2: 7pm

Where: ILT Stadium Southland, Invercargill

Watch: Live in New Zealand on Sky Sport 2 | USA: ESPN3  | International: FIBA YouTube | 

Box score here

Purchase Tickets Here

Head to Head Meetings:

Game 1 Sharks 92-Tuatara 102, April 4th Invercargill

The Tuatara spoiled the Sharks’ second home game as Davo Hickey (now with the Bulls Summer league team) erupted with a triple double, Charles Pride added the double version while Rob Loe and Tom Vodanovich dominated the glass. Southland's Keylan Boone dropped 35 points (on 13-30 shooting) but Josiah Allick fouled out, which helped fuel the Tuatara’s +9 rebounding edge. In the end it may have been 16 Shark turnovers that proved decisive. 

• Sharks - Boone (35pts, 8rbs, 2ast) had  it going, but he had to take a lot of shots to keep the offense going. Inside Josiah Allick (19pts, 7rbs) was solid but foul trouble hampered his day. Caleb Asberry (16pts, 6rbs, 3ast, 6to) was solid but his high turnover rate contributed to an uneven day for the Sharks offense. 
• Tuatara -Hickey (29pts, 11rbs, 11ast) was a three level force and Charles Pride (19pts, 13rbs, 2ast) teamed up with Rob Loe (16pts, 4rbs) to power the Tuatara on both ends of the court. 
• Breakdown: Auckland’s extra possessions and balanced scoring overcame Boone’s scoring prowess as Hickey dominated on both ends of the court handing the Sharks the 3rd loss of what would be a season long 5 game slide while the Tuatara won the 2nd of 4 straight. 

Game 2 Tuatara 80 Sharks 86, June 22nd Auckland

The Sharks turned the tables in this tight affair. Samuel Timmins controlled the paint (20 pts, 10 reb, 53% FG) throughout, while Caleb Asberry filled the box score from every angle. Southland dominated the glass (52–37) As Josiah Allick crushed the O-boards while the Sharks limited Auckland to 33% shooting. A decisive third quarter where Southland found an 18-4 run that put the Sharks in position to take the win. Luther Muhammad and Charles Pride didn't get going until late, allowing the Sharks to hold off the home side as time ran out on them. The key play of the game that went unnoticed a the time was when Rob Loe reinjured his ankle, a setback which is keeping him from the lineup still. 

• Tuatara -Muhammad (16pts, 11ast, 4rb, 4stls) never got his eye in (3-15fgs) but was consistent in getting to the free throw line (10-11fts). Charles Pride (14pts, 6rbs, 4-9 3pfg) found range late  but it was a late injury to Loe (18pts, 4rbs, 4ast) that was most concerning for the Tuatara.
• Sharks -Timmins (20pts, 10rbs) and Allick (15pts, 15rbs, 3ast) were dominant on the interior and Asberry (9pts, 9rb, 9ast, 7stls) influenced every aspect of the game. Boone (19pts, 6rbs, 6ast) hit big shots all game and Tukaha Cooper (12pts, 3ast, 3rb) moved into the starting lineup to give the Sharks just the boost they needed. 

• Breakdown: Southland’s physicality and powerful offensive rebounding produced second-chance points (19) that combined with timely shot making to prove too much for a cold-shooting Tuatara who just never found their rhythm after halftime as they lost their 2nd straight of a 3 game skid. The Sharks streaking in the other direction, winning their 5 straight in a streak that is still alive after 7 wins. 

What to Look For:

Sharks Key Players

• Josiah Allick (18.9 ppg, 11.1 rpg, 58% FG)
  The top regular season MVP vote getter is a double-double machine who sets the tone inside; must stay out of foul trouble and is dependent on his teammates feeding him the rock 
• Keylan Boone (21.8 ppg, 7.7 rpg, 45% 3P)
  One of the league’s elite shooters and a true all around scorers, Boone can stretch the floor or attack off the dribble. Scored 35 and 19 vs Tuatara this season and poses a true matchup issue.
• Caleb Asberry (14.7 ppg, 7.3 apg, 2.0 spg)
  Southland’s floor general and defensive spark; ranks top five in assists and steals and can power the Sharks on his own when at his best, but can get loose with possession and occasionally presses the issue when offense isn't flowing.
• Samuel Timmins (14.6 ppg, 8.4 rpg, 53% FG, 1.9 blk)
  Rim protector and inside anchor who alters shots and finishes strong but needs to be fed with regularity to impose his advantage. Will have a massive size advantage and knows how to use it. 
• Tukaha Cooper (9.9 ppg, 41% 3P)
  Perimeter threats who prefers the drive but keeps you honest with the jumper, joined the starting lineup when these teams last met and hasn't looked back.
• Bench mob: Alonzo Burton (10.4 ppg, 40% 3P) & Brayden Inger will provide the shooting and William Leger provides the size and they all need to provide the hustle. 
• Breakdown: The Sharks’ edge comes from rebounding (Allick & Timmins), balanced scoring, and defensive disruption led by Asberry all while controlling the pace. 

Tuatara Key Players:

• Luther Muhammad (22.3 ppg, 37% 3P, 6.4 apg) Go-to scorer and primary playmaker; scored 22+ multiple times and will look to play predominantly out of the pick and roll. A natural scorer but just as good as a facilitator. If he's not hitting it will be a long night for the Tuatara. 
• Buay Tuach (16.3 ppg, 40% 3P, 5.0 rpg)
  Athletic wing who can slash and hit from deep but prefers the transition game. His defense on Boone will be a key factor. 
• Charles Pride (11.5 ppg, 6.3 rpg)
  High-motor guard who rebounds well for his size; shot 30% from deep but gets hot when streaking. Will need to lift his rebounding and find his stroke from deep. 
• Tom Vodanovich (12.7 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 26% 3P)
  Experienced forward who can space the floor and play tough inside but his physicality will be his greatest contribution on the day.
• Dan Fotu (8.8pts, 6.9rbs) His hustle on the glass and ability to slow down opposition bigs will be key. Look for him to play well beyond his averages as his role expands with no Loe. 
• Bench mob: Dylan Wilkie (5.1 ppg, 47% 3P) adds shooting; Zach Riley (6.7 ppg, 4.2 rpg) brings energy on both ends of the court while Josh Leger and Nick Barrow will get extended minutes with the absence of Loe.
• Breakdown: Auckland needs a big game from Muhammad, Tuach and Pride need to find their range while Vodanovich and Fotu need to control the glass. It would help if the team is hitting threes to stretch Southland’s defense, but the unavailability of Loe may prove too much for the visitors. 

Matchups to Watch: 

• Asberry vs Muhammad: Playmaker vs scorer; whoever dictates pace could swing the game but each will have their work cut out for them on the defensive end trying to slow down his opposite. 
• Boone vs Tuach: Will Boone's scoring ability be able to overcome the athletic efforts of Tuach? And can Tuach find some form on offense to even this matchup out? Boone will likely look to hit the glass to press his size advantage.
• Timmins & Allick vs Fotu & Vodanovich: Battle of the boards and rim protection is key but there is a big size advantage in the Sharks favour with Loe out. If the Tuatara duo finds some form from deep it will force the Sharks frontline to leave the paint, opening space for Muhammad drives.

Final Breakdown

When Southland has played well down the stretch of the season they have done so with physicality, rebounding, and multiple scoring options finding ways to impact different sections of the game.. Auckland must shoot well, protect the ball and find a big game from Muhammad while the collective of Vodanovich, Fotu, Tuach and Pride need to come together to control the glass while finding enough efficiency from deep to keep the defense honest. 

Can the Sharks ride home-court energy and glasswork to a semi-final appearance? Or will the Tuatara’s shooters spoil the party in Invercargill to keep their quest for championship alive?

Stats that Matter:

 

Stat	Sharks	Tuatara
Scoring Offense	90.50 (5th)	88.30 (7th)
Scoring Defense	90.60 (8th)	89.80 (6th)
Effective Field Goal %	56% (1st)	51% (8th)
Field Goal % Defense	43% (2nd)	45% (6th)
Free Throw Rate	27% (10th)	29% (5th)
Free Throw %	75% (3rd)	71% (7th)
Three Point Rate	42% (5th)	42% (4th)
Three Point %	37% (1st)	33% (6th)
Turnover Rate	15% (10th)	13% (8th)
Assist Rate	65% (1st)	57% (8th)
Offensive Rebound Rate	29% (3rd)	25% (9th)
Defensive Rebound Rate	72% (6th)	76% (3rd)
Block Rate	11% (2nd)	6% (9th)
Steal Rate	8% (10th)	8% (9th)

all advanced stats courtesy of spatialjam.com