Game Preview: Auckland v Nelson

Jadcup Auckland Tuatara (0-3, 11th) v NBS Nelson Giants (0-3, 10th)

Two teams with winless records meet in Auckland that will likely play with a bit of desperation to keep from sliding to 0-4 starts. The Tuatara will be hoping that an infusion of MVP calibre talent will give them the push they need to find the winners circle while the Giants will need to find answers on both sides of the ball down the stretch of the contest to stay off the last rung of the ladder.

When: Sunday 30 March, Rapid League 5:30pm, Sal’s NBL 6:30pm

Where: Eventfinda Stadium, Wairau Valley, Auckland
Watch: Live in New Zealand on Sky Sport 5 | USA: ESPN3 | International: FIBA YouTube
Box score here

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Last Time Out:

Auckland kept pace with the Airs in a back and forth game for three quarters on their home court before the size and depth of the Taranaki began to wear the Tuatara out and a 76 all tie turned inot a 79-102 loss. Buay Tuach leading the way with 27pts, while Tom Vodanovich dropped 22.

The Giants hosted the Bulls an went down 9 in the first quarter before working their way back to a 4 point lead halfway through the second, but the Bulls addition of Flynn Cameron gave Franklin the edge they needed to keep the Giants at bay in the 2nd to inflict an 94-83 defeat. David Okwera (21pts, 6rbs, 3blks) leading the way for the Bulls. Brice Johnson (18pts, 8rbs) tops for the Giants.

What to Look for

Rob Loe is back!! The Tuatara are expecting Will Hickey next week, but in the meantime the face of the squad changes with the reintroduction of the reigning 2x time defensive player of the year. His addition will help stabilise the back end of the defense while allowing for more spacing on the offensive end. Buay Tuach will find wider driving lanes and Tommy V will have a bit of space to operate on the block. The backcourt of Charles Pride and Josh Wyllie will have a bit more space to operate and, importantly, a release valve they can throw it high to when all else fails.

The Giants haven’t been able to keep pace offensively with their opponents as they began the season with 3 straight losses. Just 3 players (Brice Johnson 18ppg, Liam Judd 12.7, and Hayden Jones 11.3) average double figures and outside those three the rest of the squad is shooting just 23% (11-48) from deep allowing opponent defenses to pack the paint and harass the players that have a bit of form from deep putting the Giants offense in the bottom half of the league in terms of efficiency. They value possession but have the second lowest defensive rebounding rate (68%) in the league and struggle to get to the line with consistency.

Small Sample Size Stats:

Auckland are last in scoring (72.33ppg), assists (12pg), assist/turnover ratio (.75) and field goal percentage (38%) and 2nd last in rebounding margin (-5.67) and 3 point field goal percentage (29%). They have defended the 3-point line well (opponents shoot 22%, best defense in league) but the third lowest defensive rebounding percentage (70%) and lowest offensive rebounding percentage (21%) has kept the possession game out of reach.

Nelson are 10th in scoring (82ppg) and 7th in scoring defense (92.67ppg) for the 9th best scoring margin in the league (-10.67). Sitting 11th in free throw percentage (64%), 2nd in 3-point percentage (37%) with the 7th highest 3 point rate (40%). They have the second lowest steal rate (6%) and second lowest defensive rebounding rate (68%) but feature the highest offensive rebounding rate (37%)

Matchup to Watch: Rob Loe v Brice Johnson – Two big men who can pull their defender from the paint with top notch 3 point shooting but also will need to be in the paint to carry the bulk of the rebounding duties.