Steelformers Taranaki Airs (7-4, 4th) v Logik Franklin Bulls (8-4, 3rd)
The Bulls hit the road after a tough loss but this is a team that knows how to bounce back, having not dropped consecutive losses yet this season. The Airs will still be down a restricted player and they have only managed a .500 record on their home court. Will the Bulls right the ship once again or will the Airs defend the peak to take a step up the ladder?
When: Wednesday 21st May, Rapid League 6pm, Sal's NBL 7pm
Where: TSB Stadium, New Plymouth
Watch: Live in New Zealand on Sky Sport 3 | USA: ESPN3 | International: FIBA YouTube
Box score here
Last Time Out:
Taranaki welcomed the Whai to New Plym0uth, with both teams short a bit of size after some roster changes. The first half started slowly with a single point separating the teams who both were unable to top 30 points. The pace picked up in the 3rd, with the Airs building a 14 point filled with highlights from Carlin Davison (17pts, 18rbs, 3ast, 4stls) that was fueled by transition buckets, but the Whai weren't done as 8 straight points from Kruz Perrott-Hunt (21pts, 9rbs, 3stls) to finish the quarter cut the deficit back to 2 at 53-51, Another Perrott-Hunt bucket opened the 4th to tie things up, but 9 straight points by the Airs would see them gain control and eventually take the 75-62 win as all 5 starters hit double figures.
The Bulls would host a revamped and suddenly dangerous team to the Stockyard, but Franklin leapt into action from the tip, building a 11 point lead in the opening term on a Marcel Jones (12pts) bucket. But a lack of attention to detail kept the Giants around, and while they didn't threaten the lead they found enough offense to stay within sight. Coming to the end of the third Hayden Jones(13pts, 4rbs, 1ast) lifted his play, capped by a dunk to close the 3rd that gave the Giants their first lead since the opening minute. This gave the road team confidence heading into the 4th where they lifted down the stretch as the Bulls offense sputtered, eventually falling 91-80 on the day.
What to Expect:
The Airs are still down an import, but Jack Andrew (16.6ppg, 10rpg), Carlin Davison (18.8ppg, 8.1rpg, 5.4apg) and Dom Kelman-Poto (4.8ppg, 3.4rpg) have the size and skills to make up for the missing minutes, but they will need to work hard on the boards against a Bulls team that will be coming in with a bit of heat. The rebounding battle will be key but Davison can lift his game in this area (just look at his 18 rebound last time out) but it will take a collective effort. Owen Foxwell (18ppg, 8.4apg) is still the key to the perimeter attack, as the options around him haven't yet stepped up as ballhandling options or offense initiators. Look for the Airs to pound the paint to lift the free throw rate but pace may be the biggest key to a possible Airs victory.
The Bulls thought they had found some consistency with 2 straight wins, but a loss to the Giants sees them revert to the form where they alternated wins and losses over 6 straight games. The Bulls will need to lift their offense, as they have won just a single game this season when scoring 80 points or less. With Flynn Cameron (calf) still injured that offense will likely come form Tae Hardy (21.8ppg, 4.2rpg, 6.8apg), but Till Gloger (13.3ppg, 5.4rpg) has proven his finishing skills will come in handy as well. Tobias Cameron (10.1ppg, 4.7rpg, 1.5stls) and David Okwera (10.8ppg, 8.4rpg, 2.27blks) are keys to the defensive intensity but both need to be a bit more careful with their contact to avoid whistles against a team that leads the league in Free Throw rate.
Matchup to Watch: Owen Foxwell v Tae Hardy- The highlights will come from Davison, but the game may be decided by the pg's. Both teams go as their floor generals do, and if they can defend their opponent well (or slow them down with a bit of extra help) neither team has yet shown that they trust other options to keep the scoreboard ticking.
Stats that Might Matter:
| Stat | Airs | Bulls |
| Scoring Offense | 95.73 (4th) | 87.33 (9th) |
| Scoring Defense | 91.55 (7th) | 84.50 (3rd) |
| Effective Field Goal % | 52% (6th) | 52% (7th) |
| Field Goal % Defense | 43% (3rd) | 43% (2nd) |
| Free Throw Rate | 33% (1st) | 24% (last) |
| Free Throw % | 72% (5th) | 73% (4th) |
| Three Point Rate | 34% (last) | 37% (9th) |
| Three Point % | 32% (7th) | 33% (5th) |
| Turnover Rate | 13% (7th) | 16% (11th) |
| Assist Rate | 55% (7th) | 58% (6th) |
| Offensive Rebound Rate | 30% (3rd) | 30% (2nd) |
| Defensive Rebound Rate | 76% (3rd) | 74% (5th) |
| Block Rate | 10% (3rd) | 10% (2nd) |
| Steal Rate | 11% (4th) | 11% (3rd) |
all advanced stats courtesy of spatialjam.com
