Steelformers Taranaki Airs (5-3, 4th) v The Northern Group Tauranga Whai (5-4, 6th)
The Airs are coming off a thrilling last second win but have struggled to find consistency, alternating wins and losses over their four games while the Whai have now lost 3 of 4 after a 4-1 start. Will the winning ways of the Airs continue or will the Whai find a way to get back on the winning leger.
When: Saturday 26th April, Rapid League 6:30Sal's NBL 7:30pm
Where: TSB Stadium, New Plymouth
Watch: Live in New Zealand on Sky Sport 5 | USA: ESPN3 | International: FIBA YouTube
Box score here
Last Time Out:
The Airs welcomed the Tuatara and were mostly holding the visitors at bay through three quarters before a late 3rd quarter Tuatara run coincided with Carlin Davison's (17pts, 6rbs, 8ast )second tech foul (and subsequent ejection) to see Auckland up 5. When Rob Loe went down with injury it looked like Owen Foxwell (31pts, 8rbs, 7ast) and the Airs had the game in hand but Will Hickey (36pts, 10rbs, 7ast) still had a chance to win at the buzzer. But the chance would go wanting and the Airs would burst back into the top 6 with a thrilling 111-110 victory.
The Whai traveled to Palmerston North looking to bounce back after an upset home loss but would be pounced upon by a Jets team that has a newfound defensive identity. Tauranga mustering just 40% shooting from the field while committing 16 turnover that led to 29 points. All five Jets starters hit double figures led by Miles Gibson (30pts) while Dontae Russo-Nance (13pts, 3rbs, 7ast) fueled the D with 5 steals as the Jets took a 107-85 victory despite the efforts of Kruz Perrott-Hunt (18pts, 5rbs)
What to Look For:
The Airs are on the short list of the most powerful offenses in the league with Harry Froling (21.8ppg, 9.8rpg) and Jack Andrew (15.1ppg, 8.5rpg) working out of post catches while crashing the offensive glass, which has been especially effective against smaller teams. Owen Foxwell (19.7ppg, 9.1apg)has been a great facilitator and a solid scorer who the opposition has occasionally had success slowing down. Carlin Davison (19.5ppg, 7.9rpg, 5.5apg) has been tremendous in transition while showing a dedication to finding his teammates this season while Armon Fletcher (17.4ppg, 5.3rpg) has been solid on both ends. They will look to dominate on the interior, making it tough for the Whai to score on the inside while upping the pressure on a team that doesn't often turn it over.
The Whai have been solid defensively all season long but the offense has stagnated unable to top 85 points in their last 4 games and having crossed the 100 point mark just once this season. That indicates they'll need to control possession and pace to stay in the game on the road. Chris Jones (16.7ppg, 5.8rpg, 4.6apg) can be an engine offensively but has struggled at times when opposing have defended him with size. Inside Talib Zanna (7.6ppg, 6.9rpg) has been offering the size up front to body up defensively but has limited impact on the offensive end while Carter Hopoi's (11ppg, 4.6rpg, 1blk) vertical game has enabled him to find space despite being a focus of defenses. Kruz Perrot-Hunt (16.4ppg, 3.8rpg) has been more consistent on offense than a season ago but needs support on the scoreboard from the bench where Jayden Bezzant (7.4ppg) and Te Tuhi Lewis have offered punch that at times can carry the load on that end.
Matchup to Watch: Owen Foxwell v Chris Jones- Foxwell has played the role of facilitator but has also chosen moments for his own offense to take over but his defensive assignment on Jones will be of paramount importance. That's because as Jones goes, so goes the Whai offense, if he is kept under wraps the offense will need to look for answers elsewhere.
Stats that Might Matter:
| Stat | Airs | Whai |
| Scoring Offense | 101.38ppg (1st) | 82.63 (10th) |
| Scoring Defense | 96.38 (10th) | 80.14ppg (1st) |
| Effective Field Goal % | 54% (4th) | 46% (11th) |
| Field Goal % Defense | 44% (3rd) | 45% (6th) |
| Free Throw Rate | 36% (1st) | 29% (5th) |
| Free Throw % | 70% (7th) | 74% (3rd) |
| Three Point Rate | 33% (12th) | 43% (4th) |
| Three Point % | 34% (4th) | 30% (11th) |
| Turnover Rate | 14% (7th) | 12% (2nd) |
| Assist Rate | 54% (9th) | 53% (10th) |
| Offensive Rebound Rate | 30% (2nd) | 30% (3rd) |
| Defensive Rebound Rate | 77% (2nd) | 71% (11th) |
| Block Rate | 10% (2nd) | 6% (9th) |
| Steal Rate | 10% (5th) | 13% (1st) |
all advanced stats courtesy of spatialjam.com
