NBS Nelson Giants (0-4, 11th) v Steelformers Taranaki Airs (3-2, 6th)
The Giants are starting to feel the pressure of chasing the pack and are in desperate need of finding their first win of the season before they lose pace with the op of table. The Airs are coming off of their worst performance of the year and will be looking to bounce back and prove that they belong in the upper echelon of the league.
When: Saturday 5th April, Rapid League 3pm, Sal's NBL 4pm
Where: Trafalgar Centre, Nelson
Watch: Live in New Zealand on Sky Sport 6 | USA: ESPN3 | International: FIBA YouTube
Box score here
Last Time Out:
The Giants visited Auckland to see which team would get their first win of the season with Rob Loe lifting the Tuatara over a Nelson team that hit only 7 of 24 (24%) from deep. None of those were hit by import guard Jaylen Forbes, whose 3 point 1-9 shooting night turned out to be his last as a Giant. Brice Johnson (21pts) and Liam Judd (20pts) providing the scoring but were light on the boards (combined for 5 rebounds) while the 9 for 21 shooting hurt the most in the 81-72 loss.
Taranaki hosted Canterbury in a hotly anticipated matchup between early season powerhouses and it would prove a back and forth battle in the early going. But then the Rams took control, blowing the lead out to 25 points thanks to smothering defense and a balanced offense topped by Tama Isaac's 18 points. Owen Foxwell was held without a field goal (0-6) and the only player on the Airs to shoot better than 42% was Jack Andrew as the Airs would shoot 2-21 from the three point line to eventually go down 87-71.
What to Look for
The Giants are going to be short an import but will likely find better production by giving the minutes to their local core in the short term (Giants are shooting 39% from three if you take out Forbes 2-203pfg). Judd has brought energy to the 4 spot but his combination with Johnson has proven light on the boards as a combo, but Giants are still top 5 in rebound percentage (74% DRB, 28% ORB) because of the teams work as a collective. Judd (14.5ppg) and Johnson (18.8) are the only double figure scores the Giants feature so they will be looking for someone to step up into the void and find some buckets with regularity.
The Airs are coming off their worst shooting performance of the season from deep so may look to recommit themselves to attacking the rim. They'll have great size across the frontline and will look to impose their will physicality on the low block by playing through Froling and Andrew. Once rebounds are secured the Airs should look to push the ball up the court against the Giants, who have the slowest pace in the league.
Small Sample Size Stats:
The Giants are last in pace (76) 9th in effective field goal percentage (49%) but sit third in assist rate (62%). The possession game can be a problem with the 7th best turnover rate (13%), the lowest steal rate (8%) and middle of the pack rebounding rates (28% orb rate, 6th, 74% drb rate 5th). They have the 3rd worst defensive rating (119) and make the 8th most threes per game (8.75)
The Airs feature the highest scoring team in the league (103.75) and have the top free throw rate in the league (37%) but feature the lowest three point rate (32%) while making the 9th most threes (8.5). They are the best defensive rebounding team (80% drb rate) and second best on the offensive boards (30%)
Matchup to Watch: Harry Froling v Brice Johnson - When Froling is allowed time on the block he can bully his way down or rely on superior footwork and soft hands to keep the scoreboard ticking over. Johnson has led the Giants in scoring by stretching defenses with his excellent shooting (50% 3pfg). Will Johnson be able to bend defenses away from the paint with his stroke or will Froling get deep catches an put the Giants in foul trouble?
