Game Preview: Auckland v Taranaki

Auckland Tuatara (0-1) v Steelformers Taranaki Airs(1-1)

The Tuatara are still a work in progress with a young squad but will look to improve upon a a patchy opening game as the Airs come to town with possibly the most fearsome frontcourt in the league.

When: Sunday March 23, Rapid League 2pm, Sal’s NBL 3pm
Where: Eventfinder Stadium, Auckland
Watch: Live on Sky Sport 1 and Sky Open | USA: ESPN3 | International: FIBA YouTube
Boxscore here

Buy Tickets Here

Last Time Out:

The Tuatara lost their home opener 62-81 against a Bulls side that never let them find comfort when they had possession of the ball, especially when they were outscored 47-26 in the 2nd & 3rd quarters. Charles Pride (11pts,7rbs) and Buay Tuach (14pts, 8rbs) provided the bulk of the offense but at just a 31% clip (10-32 shooting).

The Airs hosted the Jets and despite not having Owen Foxwell or Dom Kelman-Poto available held the lead in the 4th quarter behind strong performances from Carlin Davison (24pts, 10rbs, 3ast) and Harry Froling (25pts, 11rbs, 2ast). But, the lack of a true point guard slowed the offense down the stretch and they would eventually fall 93-84.

What to Watch For:

The Tuatara were desperatly hoping for a the ANBL finals to end with a United victory in game 4 to open the door for the debut of Rob Loe and Will Hickey, but with the series stretching to a 5th and final game the home squad will be without two of their brightest stars. Tom Vodanovich (1-7 fgs, 5pts) never found form in the opener and will look to be more aggressive with the ball in hand. Imports Pride and Tuach will need to find more volume and a higher rate of efficiency offensively to give this young squad the chance to sneak out a home win while defensively big men Josh Leger and Nick Barrow will need to use every bit of nous they have to slow down Harry Froling and the Airs interior attack

Owen Foxwell is questionable (injury, neck) and his presence will be the difference between a well oiled machine offensively and one that is feeling its way through the halfcourt offensive possibilities. With or without Foxwell it will be Davison and Froling doing the heavy lifting for the offense but if too much attention comes their way this could be the game that Armon Fletcher gets loose, as his play has been steady if not yet reaching the heights that he is capable of. Their size advantage would become even more palpable if Dom Kelman-Potu is cleared to add his physical brand of hoops to Jack Andrew and Froling up front.

Small Sample Size Stats:

Auckland- The offense stuggled in the opener featuring the leagues lowest effective field goal shooting (39%) and highest turnover rate (21%). Quick hands have turned the ball over at a decent rate (14% steal rate, 2nd in league) but that’s tempered by the inability to pull down defensive boards (65% defensive rebounding rate

Taranaki- The offense isn’t as efficient as you would think (48% effective field goal, 7th) hampered by a high turnover rate (15%, 5th lowest) and low assist rate (44%, 10th in league) but lifted by a the 2nd best free throw rate (39%) and solid work on the defensive glass (75% defensive rebounding rate)

Matchup to Watch: Tom Vodanovich v Carlin Davison- Two strong athletic players that like to do their damage in different ways. Vodanovich feast on the pick and pop as a 3 point shooter but also relishes the contact found in the post while Davison has been playing more with the ball in hand as a penetrator and might be the best weapon in the league when it comes to transition.