Logik Franklin Bulls (6-2, 2nd) v Southland Sharks (3-5, 9th)
The Bulls pulled half a Southern Swing but got the Sharks to travel North for Easter weekend as they look to add to a 2-game win streak as they thy to keep pace with the table toppers but the Sharks have lifted themselves into the postseason race with their best win of the year. Will the Bulls stay dominant or will the Sharks winning ways continue?
When: Saturday 19th April, Rapid League 6:30, Sal's NBL 7:30pm
Where: Franklin Pool and Leisure Center, Pukekohe
Watch: Live in New Zealand on Sky Sport 1 | USA: ESPN3 | International: FIBA YouTube
Box score here
Last Time Out:
Franklin traveled to Dunedin and charged out of the gates to an 11-0 lead and that was before the shooting of Ethan Rusbatch (27pts, 8-14 3pfg) scorched the nets to push the lead out to 19. The Nuggets offense would stabilise as Jose Perez (24pts, 7rbs) bowled his way to the hoop but it was an overall down day for the Nuggets offense as they shot 26% from three. Tae Hardy (24pt, 6rbs, 10ast) and Till Gloger (19pts, 8rbs, 5ast) among a bevy of quality performances in their 107-84 win that placed them equal with the top spot on the ladder in wins.
The Sharks traveled to Tauranga to take on a Whai squad that was looking to keep pace with the top of the ladder. The late confirmation of Josiah Allick (27pts, 13rbs, 4ast) would be a lift to the Sharks interior play but a defensive lift was needed to give the Sharks a chance to steal a win on the road. The defense would rise and Tauranga would struggle offensively, with just Chris Jones (16pts, 7rbs, 5ast) and Kruz Perrott-Hunt (15pts, 4rbs) hitting double figures but it was enough to give the Whai a 6-point lead at halftime. With Keylan Boone (26pts, 10rbs) joining Allick to lift the offense as the defense locked down the Sharks would fight back to tie the game heading into the final quarter where Caleb Asberry (11pts, 5rbs, 6ast) would find his form down the stretch to secure a huge 84-78 victory.
What to Look For:
The Bulls have played some of the toughest defense in the league but have found another level on offense with the arrival of Ethan Rusbatch (23ppg, 52% 3pfg) whose shooting has stretched the defense as they've crossed 103 points in consecutive games. Tae Hardy (21.8ppg, 6.8apg) is a two way force, with defense that starts the second the ball gets put on the floor and an offensive game that features range and penetration ability. Tobias Cameron (10ppg, 4.8rpg) has been efficient on offense and a terror on defense, physically defending wings and rotating from the weak side. The paint is patrolled by David Okwera(10.7ppg, 8.7rpg, 2.57 blks) and Till Gloger(12.3ppg, 5.6rpg), both solid offensive options who aren't asked to do a ton and willing defenders, Gloger works well positionally and Okwera defending vertically. Marcel Jones and KC Nwafor offer size off the bench and have been timely with contributions in limited minutes. This is a team tough on both ends of the court with lineups that perform on both sides of the ball.
The Sharks are coming off their best win of the year, able to reach that level because of the play of Josiah Allick and Keylan Boone, who have carried the offensive load. They can be solid offensively, with streaky three point shooting that can keep them in games, but when the shooting dries up ofr stretches it can be tough to keep the scoreboard ticking over especially when the posession game goes away from them when their turnovers lift without a lift in turnovers forced. Alonzo Burton long ball can keep defenses honest but the shot volume hasn't been there often enough to do real damage while Caleb Asberry has shown dominant stretches but can find penetration lanes dry up at times as well. If the Sharks take care of the ball while finishing off possesions with collective effort on the glass they should find themselves in the thick of things, but if the pressure isn't well responded to the scoring gap could get too big to counter quickly.
Matchup to Watch: Tobias Cameron v Keylan Boone - Cameron has been lifting the offense of late, including a perfect game from the floor last time out, while the defense is top flight. Boone has been a force on offense, with 4 straight games over 20pts, but if he is held in check the options for the Sharks to keep the scoring become few and far between.
Stats that Might Matter:
| Stat | Bulls | Sharks |
| Scoring Offense | 89.25ppg (8th) | 86.75ppg (9th) |
| Scoring Defense | 80.25 (2nd) | 94ppg (9th) |
| Effective Field Goal % | 54% (6th) | 55% (3rd) |
| Field Goal % Defense | 41% (1st) | 47% (8th) |
| Free Throw Rate | 26% (8th) | 23% (last) |
| Free Throw % | 70% (6th) | 75% (2nd) |
| Three Point Rate | 36% (11th) | 45% (1st) |
| Three Point % | 35% (5th) | 36% (3rd) |
| Turnover Rate | 17% (last) | 16% (11th) |
| Assist Rate | 56% (7th) | 63% (2nd) |
| Offensive Rebound Rate | 30% (1st) | 24% (9th) |
| Defensive Rebound Rate | 76% (5th) | 71% (9th) |
| Block Rate | 11% (1st) | 8% (6th) |
| Steal Rate | 11% (4th) | 10% (6th) |
all advanced stats courtesy of spatialjam.com
