Steelformers Taranaki Airs (12-8, 3rd) v The Northern Group Tauranga Whai (9-11, 6th)
The Whai snuck in the Eliminator final through the back door, needing losses by the Jets and Bulls on the final day of the season to qualify. But make no mistake, this gritty defensive squad deserves to be here and can take any opponent out of their flow offensively. The Airs have shown the ability to dominate physically and will relish in the physicality that the Whai bring to the table. Can the Airs defend homecourt to make their second consecutive semi-final or will the Whai continue the unlikely streak and find victory in their first ever NBL postseason appearance?
When: Wednesday 9th July, Eliminator Final 1: 7pm
Where: TSB Stadium, New Plymouth
Watch: Live in New Zealand on Sky Sport 2 | USA: ESPN3 | International: FIBA YouTube |
Head to Head Meetings:
These two sides met twice in the regular season, the Airs taking two games in two contrasting games that featured very different lineups frow what will be on offer in what should be a fierce Eliminator clash. Both teams look very different from their early season duels as they have rotated imports, but the styles that these squads depend on were evident from first glance months ago. Here’s how the regular season unfolded:
Game 1 April 26: Airs 95 - Whai 90 - A fast-paced, high-scoring affair where the Airs’ power in the paint and second-chance scoring proved decisive that featured very different lineups.
This game featured four impactful imports that are no longer here as Chris Jones and Talib Zanna for the Whai and Harry Froling and Owen Foxwell for the Airs.
Breakdown - The Airs’ ability to dominate the offensive glass (22 second-chance points to the Whai’s 13) and push in transition (14 fast break points to 5) was the difference in a game that stayed close throughout.
Game 2 May 15: Whai 62-Airs 75: a defensive grind where the Whai struggled to shoot the ball (29% FG, 5/32 from three).
What to Look For:
Airs Key Players
Carlin Davison: Explosive athlete averaging 18.8 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 5.9 assists who can create his own shot and finish above the rim and has become the de facto point guard with a blossoming play making ability. He can get loose with possession but you wouldn't want to temper his aggressiveness too much. He is the key piece, as he goes so goes the squad.
Jack Andrew: Paint protector shooting 64% from the field, adding 9.3 rebounds and 43 blocks this season and offers a premiere lob threat out of the pick and roll. He has been quietly dominant all season long and will need to be again for the Airs to move on.
Armon Fletcher: Scoring threat from outside and midrange (16.4 points)perhaps most dangerous as a cutter on the O, but it is his defensive presence which will be most impactful.
Deng Dut: Adds 10.1 points and 3.7 assists, offers a secondary ball handler while his shot has been finding form to end the season
Bench Mob: Role players like Dominique Kelman-Poto, Jaylen Gerrand and Scott Telfer bring grit and scoring off the bench, rounding out a physical, deep lineup.
Whai Key Players:
Mojave King: A genuine scoring machine, posting 22.2 points per game on an efficient 47% shooting and 38% from deep, plus 4.9 rebounds and 4.0 assists, he is most dangerous in transition, but as his recent 43 point night showed, when he gets hot from deep he is a different prospect altogether. This will be his first appearance against the Airs and what changes that bring will be a key factorr.
Kruz Perrott-Hunt: Reliable and aggressive, averaging 14.6 points, 3.0 assists, and steady perimeter defence, but most important as a steady ball handler in the face of the Airs consistent pressure.
Anzac Rissetto: Carries the inside presence, shooting 52% from the field for 14.8 points and nearly 6 rebounds per game; but surprisingly also stepping out to hit threes at 39% with low volume. He needs to hold the line and bring physicality without fouling. His addition to the frontline has changed the tenor of how the Whai play, and as this will be his first appearance against the Airs, how he impacts the Airs frontline will be a key trend to watch.
Sean Bairstow(11.1 ppg, 4.5 apg) Adds size and playmaking with solid rebounding, but has the ability to switch on the perimeter as well
Carter Hopoi: Tough on the glass (5.7 rpg) and the teams best vertical threat, but how much he will be available is up in the air as he returns from the U=19 World Cup
Bench Mob: Jayden Bezzant (8.5 ppg, 32% from three), Sean Murphy (8.4 ppg, 6.9 rpg), and Xanda Marsters (5.7 ppg, 34% from three) offer valuable minutes, while Jett Thompson rounds out the rotation.
Breakdown: The Whai are built on balanced scoring, smart ball movement and collective rebounding but the foundation of their success is the defense and ability to slow the tempo while taking opponents out of their game. Floor spacing falls heavily on King, Perrott-Hunt and Bezzant. They can find room in transition but their ability to stretch Taranaki’s defence from deep will likely define the night,
Matchups to Watch:
Carlin Davison vs Mojave King: Two of the league’s brightest young Kiwi stars who can dominate play with their elite athleticism; who controls tempo and scores more efficiently will go a long way towards team success.
Inside Battle: Can Rissetto and company hold their own on the boards against Andrew, Moller and DKP? Which of these frontline can stay out of foul trouble while still imposing their physicality?
Perimeter shooting: The Whai, who are the least efficient team from deep in the league, need hot hands from Perrott-Hunt, Marsters, and King to stretch Taranaki’s defence. The Airs three point game has been heavily reliant on Moller and Dut of late, who have been streaking from deep to end the season.
Stats that Matter:
| Stat | Airs | Whai |
| Scoring Offense | 93.15 (3rd) | 81.85 (last) |
| Scoring Defense | 89.20 (5th) | 84.20 (2nd) |
| Effective Field Goal % | 53% (4th) | 48% (last) |
| Field Goal % Defense | 45% (5th) | 45% (7th) |
| Free Throw Rate | 30% (4th) | 27% (7th) |
| Free Throw % | 71% (6th) | 71% (8th) |
| Three Point Rate | 38% (9th) | 42% (2nd) |
| Three Point % | 32% (8th) | 30% (last) |
| Turnover Rate | 13% (4th) | 12% (8th) |
| Assist Rate | 58% (6th) | 55% (4th) |
| Offensive Rebound Rate | 30% (2nd) | 27% (6th) |
| Defensive Rebound Rate | 76% (4th) | 71% (9th) |
| Block Rate | 11% (3rd) | 8% (7th) |
| Steal Rate | 10% (7th) | 10% (5th) |
all advanced stats courtesy of spatialjam.com
