Semi Final 2 Preview: Wellington Saints v Tauranga Whai

Semi Final Preview: Mills Albert Wellington Saints (16-4, 1st) v The Northern Group Tauranga Whai (9-11, 6th)

When: Sunday 13th July, Semi Final 2: 3pm

Where: TSB Arena Wellington

Watch: Live in NZ on Sky Sport 4 | USA: ESPN3 | International: FIBA YouTube

Box score Available Here

Purchase Tickets Here

Head-to-Head Meetings

Game 1: Whai 82–78 Saints (May 23, Tauranga)

The Whai dug deep to upset the Saints at home, overcoming an early deficit and holding off a furious late charge. Mojave King led all scorers in his first game with the Whai, relentlessly attacking the rim and knocking down threes, while Kruz Perrott-Hunt chipped in from the line Anzac Rissetto and Sean Murphy helped them win the rebounding battle 44–46. For the Saints, big man Nicholas Muszynski was dominant with a huge double double while Izayah Le’Afa struggled from the floor. Wellington forced 17 turnovers and had more points in the paint (36–30), but Tauranga’s bench chipped in 20, led by Bezzant, points to just 3 from the Saints’ bench, a decisive edge.

Whai standouts: Movave King (29pts, 6rbs, 3ast), Kruz Perrott-Hunt (14pts, 2rbs 4ast), Jayden Bezzant (12pts, 1rb, 1ast)

Saints standouts: Nick Muszynski (22pts, 18rbs, 2ast), Izayah Le’afa (17pts, 3rbs, 11ast), Nick Marshall (15pts, 6rbs, 3ast), Hyrum Harris (11pts, 8rbs, 4ast), Jordan Ngatai (10pts)

Breakdown: Tauranga stayed close early, used free throws and offensive rebounds to stay in it, then closed the game behind King’s shot making and grit on defence. The Saints never got going from 3 (10-32 3pfg) and couldn’t find ways to create offense as the Whai committed only 8 turnovers. The Whai got great support off the pine as their bench outscored the Saints 20-3.

Game 2: Saints 94–68 Whai (June 21, Wellington)

At home, the Saints turned the tables completely, jumping out to a big early lead and never looking back.For Tauranga, Anzac Rissetto led the fight while Kruz Perrott-Hunt and Sean Murphy each chipped in. But the Whai were overwhelmed by Saints’ depth, pace and ball movement: Jordan Ngatai erupted hitting 5 threes, while Muszynski and Le’afa also chipped in as the Saints dominated start to finish, leading by as many as 32 points. Key were the support crew as the Saints got 20 points off the bench while the Whai bench was limited to just 5 points and points from turnovers where they had a 18-1 advantage.

Saints standouts: Jordan Ngatai (25pts, 4rbs), Nick Muszynski (15pts, 6rbs, 2ast), Izayah Le’afa (13pts, 5rbs, 6ast), Nick Marshall (12pts, 3rbs, 4ast)

Whai standouts: Anzac Rissetto (24pts, 7rbs, 4ast), Kruz Perrott-Hunt (12pts, 2rbs, 3ast), Sean Murphy (12pts, 5rbs, 6ast), Mojave King (10pts, 2rb, 5ast), Sean Bairstow (5ptss, 7rbs, 5ast)

Breakdown: The Saints controlled tempo, forced turnovers , and got scoring from everywhere, while Tauranga couldn’t get stops and were outscored 29–13 in the third quarter to go up 29 before cruising to victory.

What to Look For

Saints Key Players

Player | PPG | FG% | 3P% | RPG | APG | Notes
Nick Marshall | 19.9 | 50% | 38% | 7.4 | 2.2 | All Star 5 player who can fill it up in the half court or transition. Scored 12 and 15 pts v Whai
Hyrum Harris | 13.9 | 48% | 28% | 10.6 | 4.9 | Defensive Player of the year who can act as a hub for the offense
Izayah Le’afa | 16.6 | 38% | 33% | 3.3 | 5.8 | Has lifted his offense as the season has gone along but always brings top level Defense
Jordan Ngatai | 15.3 | 44% | 36% | 3.8 | 1.8 | Offense lifted once his role was defined. Can abuse mismatches, had second highest point total (27) of season v Whai
Nick Muszynski | 14.6 | 65% | 17% | 8.6 | 1.7 | Led league in blocks and locks down the paint. Season High 22 v Whai

Bench mob: Shaun Bruce (17pts, 5.6ast, 4.4rb) has rejoined the team and will look to play big minutes, but he will need to reacclimate himself with his roll. Rangimarie Dougall-Mita (33% 3pfg)can get minutes as a solid defender and spot up shooter.

Breakdown: The Saints enter this clash boasting one of the League’s most balanced and explosive starting fives. Muszynski anchors the paint and gives them an efficient inside presence, while Hyrum Harris brings relentless energy and playmaking. Knockdown shooting and lockdown D from Izayah Mauriohooho Le’Afa and the scoring punch of Nicholas Marshall and Jordan Ngatai round out a unit that can hurt opponents from anywhere on the floor.

Whai Key Players

Player | PPG | FG% | 3P% | RPG | APG | Notes
Mojave King | 23.1 | 48% | 39% | 4.8 | 3.8 | Scoring machine who has played with great efficiency down the stretch. If he’s knocking down 3’s Whai are in great shape
Anzac Risetto | 15.0 | 52% | 36% | 6.3 | 1.3 | Carries the load inside. Has to stay out of foul trouble
Sean Baristow | 11.0 | 41% | 25% | 6.0 | 4.7 | Versatile forward who can do a little bit of everything. Will need to play big on the interior
Sean Murphy | 8.5 | 44% | 30% | 7.3 | 2.0 | Versatile forward who can match up inside or out. Will find ways to be effective
Kruz Perott-Hunt | 14.3 | 38% | 32% | 4.0 | 3.0 | Solid on D, Streaky from deep. Will need to find his range for Whai to fire

Bench mob: Jayden Bezzant (8.5ppg) can change the flow of games off the bench with his scoring and playmaking Carter Hopoi (11.3ppg, 5.7rpg) will be key if available as the Saints don’t have an answer for his vertical threat. Xanda Marsters (5.7ppg, 34% 3pfg)offers shooting that can get streaky.

Breakdown: Mojave King is the go-to scorer and showed his pedigree with 29 points in the first meeting. Big man Anzac Rissetto adds size and scoring touch but will need to watch out for foul trouble, while captain Kruz Perrott-Hunt provides toughness and timely shot-making. The versatile Sean Bairstow does a bit of everything, and while the frontcourt gets added grit from Sean Murphy they will need the pop of Jayden Bezzant off the bench.

Matchups to Watch

Nick Marshall v Mojave King – Two of the premiere scoring guards in the league, if either catches form they can carry the offense for their squad, but if either isn’t finding the range it can make the O’s look clunky.

Nick Muszynski vs Anzac Rissetto – Which big man will control the glass while staying out of foul trouble? They have both found scoring touch in previous matchups, but can they do it again?

Hyrum Harris v Sean Baristow – Each player does a little bit of everything and will need to do a bit more to get the win.

Final Breakdown

When the game stays close and Whai control tempo, they can beat anyone, but when the Saints hit threes and get balanced scoring they can blow teams out. This will be a game influenced by turnovers, who can get buckets off of mistakes with consistency. Which team will get the bench production to swing the offense into momentum. But the key factor will be can the Whai find offensive rhythm against the Saints defensive intensity.

Stats That Matter

Regular Season Stats | Saints | Whai
Scoring Offence | 95.25 (2nd) | 81.90 (last)
Scoring Defence | 83.60 (2nd) | 83.38 (1st)
Effective FG% | 54% (3rd) | 48% (last)
FG% Defence | 41% (1st) | 45% (5th)
Free Throw Rate | 27% (6th) | 27% (7th)
Three Point Rate | 40% (7th) | 42% (2nd)
Free Throw % | 75% (2nd) | 70% (8th)
Three Point % | 34% (2nd) | 30% (last)
Turnover Rate | 12% (9th) | 12% (8th)
Assist Rate | 59% (5th) | 59% (4th)
Offensive Rebound Rate | 26% (7th) | 27% (6th)
Defensive Rebound Rate | 78% (1st) | 71% (8th)
Block Rate | 12% (1st) | 8% (7th)
Steal Rate | 10% (4th) | 10% (5th)

All advanced stats courtesy of spatialjam.com