Game Preview: Taranaki v Hawke’s Bay

Steelformers Taranaki Airs (2-1, 6th) v Big Barrell Hawks (3-1, 1st)

The Airs come back to home court looking to get their first win at TSB stadium against a Hawks squad that has proven better on the road than at home. The size of the Airs will give them an advantage on the post but this has been the case for most of the Hawks opponents to this point in the season.

When: Saturday 29 March, Rapid League 3pm, Sal’s NBL 4pm

Where: TSB Stadium, New Plymouth
Watch: Live in New Zealand on Sky Sport 6 | USA: ESPN3 | International: FIBA YouTube
Box score here

Purchase Tickets Here

Last Time Out:

Airs: Taranaki traveled to Auckland and enjoyed a back and forth affair with the Tuatara, before their depth and size wore out the home side with a 26-3 run that closed the game turned a 76-76 tie with 7:30 remaining into a 102-79 victory. The Airs imposing their will on a Rob Loe-less squad to the tune of 32 free throws (17 for Auckland) and +16 margin on the rebound count. Carlin Davison (25pts, 9rbs, 6ast, 3stls) and Harry Froling (23pts, 11rbs, 2ast) doing the heavy lifting early and Owen Foxwell (20pts, 10ast) and Jack Andrew (15pts, 9rbs, 3blks) finishing things off.

Hawks- Franklin let the Hawks Soar to an early led before the Bulls defend their way to a 15 point lead in the third quarter at the Stockyard as Tae Hardy (20pts, 3rbs, 5ast) led a balanced attack. But then Jacob Murphy (13pts) and Clifton Bush III (13pts, 4rbs) drove a 3rd quarter comeback before Darnell Cowart (17pts, 7rbs, 8ast) and Jackson Ball (19pts, 3rbs, 4ast) took the wheel down the stretch to finish a last minute comeback that saw the Hawks lift to the top of the ladder with a 87-85 victory.

What to Look for

The Airs have found great efficiency when playing in transition, particularly when Carlin Davison pulls the ball off the rim for a grab and go or when Harry Froling outlets for Foxwell to push the pace and set up before the defense. Froling can set up in the paint as a post target, play as a fulcrum of the offense out of the high post or set up as a weak side shooter to pull out the the big defenders. Davison has been an option to start the offense with the ball in hand or get catches on the weak side before he rips through to the rim for a high flying drive or play traditional pick n roll with Foxwell and Andrews. All of this adding up to the 3rd most potent offense in the league (100.33ppg) The D is solid and they have the tools to make life tough on Ball and Cowart and because of their ability to rebound, they get consistent second chance opportunities.

The Hawks offense revolves around the skills of Jackson Ball and Darnell Cowart, Ball out of the pick and roll or looking iso a defender while Cowart can play the role of a mini Jokic, scoring when given the opportunity but just as potent with the pass to create opportunities for others. Clifton Bush III provides top level athleticism while Campbell Scott is yet to really get his eye in he’s still been able to find space on the weakside to shoot the three. Murphy brings energy and scoring off the bench but when it comes down to it, until the remaining roster members arrive, this team mostly depends on 6 players, making foul trouble a real fear.

Small Sample Size Stats:

Airs- Second in defensive fg% allowed (39%) while sitting 7th in 3pfg% defense (33%). Offensively they shoot just 28% from deep (10th in league) but have the 5th best fg% overall (47%). They are first in the total rebounding (51.67 rbs per game) and defensive rebounding percentage (80%) leading to a +6 margin on the glass (2nd). They are last in the league with 7 made 3’s per game

Hawks- Sit 5th in points per game (100.33) and 5th in total points allowed (89ppg). They lead the league in field goal Percentage (52%fg) and are 4th in 3pfg% (36%) and 3pfg% defense (28%) and sit 3rd in rebounding margin (+3). 2nd overall in assists per game (21.75) but also have the 3rd worst turnover margin in the league (-2.25)

Matchup to Watch: Clifton Bush v Carlin Davison – Two young wings with a ton of athleticism giving them the ability to finish above the rim will be locked in. Will Bush be able to contain Davison in single coverage or will the help need to come? If Bush can keep this matchup relatively even it will make this a much more winnable matchup for the road team.