NBS Nelson Giants (0-2) v Logik Franklin Bulls (3-1)
The Giants found better form in game 2 but still came away short in their home opener despite their improved efforts. The Bulls tasted defeat for the first time after giving away a double digit third quarter lead. The Giants will be desperate to grab their first win of the year to keep pace with the top teams in the comp and the Bulls will need to match that energy as they leave Auckland for the first time this season to play their third road game.
When: Friday 28 March, Rapid League 6:30pm, Sal's NBL 7:30pm
Where: Trafalgar Centre, Nelson
Watch: Live in New Zealand on Sky Sport 5 | USA: ESPN3 | International: FIBA YouTube
Box score here
Last Time Out:
Giants - The G-men hosted their rivals from across the strait and controlled most of the first half action as Brice Johnson (25pts, 11rbs) powered the offense and controlled the glass but as the game moved along the Saints backcourt of Izayah Le'afa (22pts, 7ast) and Shaun Bruce (23pts, 4rbs, 5ast) started controlling the while the Saints starters found range from deep (9-25 @ 36%). The Giants made a late flurry behind strong play from Liam Judd (19pts, 5rbs) but the Saints would settle to grab the 94-86 victory.
Bulls - The Hawks jumped on top of the Bulls on their home court but solid defense in the middle quarters saw the Bulls take a commanding 15 point lead in the 3rd quarter against a Hawks team playing it's first road game of the year. Tae Hardy (20pts, 3rbs, 5ast) leading the way but getting support, with the four other starters in double figures and Marcel Jones (15pts, 10rbs) giving great support off the bench. But 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 Bull lose 85-87.
What to Look for
The Giants offense has been driven by the ability of an improving Brice Johnson to stretch the floor with his 3 point shooting (5-10 3pfg @ 50%), the energy of Liam Judd (16.5ppg, 71% shooting) and Hayden Jones' (12.5ppg) smooth scoring off the bench. But those three have proved the only consistent options while the backcourt of Jaylen Forbes (23% fg%, 0-11 3pfg) and Alex McNaught (33% fg shooting, 1-3 3pfg) has yet to find their stroke from deep allowing defenses to collapse the paint and take away cutting lanes off the ball. They have enough size to match up with the Bulls with Johnson and Callum Dalton off the bench but will need to be wary of foul trouble against Franklin squad that likes to put pressure on the paint.
The Bulls play are locked in on the half court defensively with Hardy harasses ball handlers coming up the court before Rueben Te Rangi and Tobias Cameron continue the harassment on the wings. David Okwera and Till Gloger provide the length and strength on the interior before the length of Marcel Jones and K.C. Nwafor come off the bench to keep the party going. But while playing with a high level of toughness the results have been inconsistent, holding two teams in the 60's (62 to Tuatara and 61 to Whai) and a couple over 87 (87 to Hawks, 93 to Panthers) Offensively they have struggled with consistency with just Hardy(22.5ppg) and Te Rangi (15.3) providing perimeter options they can count on. The Bulls currently run 7 deep with Nwafor and Jones off the bench, but offensively there seems to 6 players (the starters and Jones) that have a green light to be aggressive offensively.
Small Sample Size Stats:
Giants- The offense has plenty of room to grow, currently 10th in the league in scoring average (81.5ppg) and last in free throw percentage (57%) but clean the o boards better than anyone with a 15.5 orbs per game average at 37% orb% clip.. Defensively they rank last in steals (4 stls) and opponents shoot the 4th highest 3pfg% (36%) from deep while taking the 2nd lowest percentage of defensive boards (68%) in the league.
Bulls- Rank 2nd in the league in opponents scoring average (75.75ppg) and currently have the 3rd best scoring margin (+11.75) while averaging the 8th highest points average (84.5ppg) and have the best rebounding margin in the comp (+9.25) while pulling down the second most offensive rebounds (12.75 orb per game). They sit 11th in assist/turnover ratio (.99pg) and boast the 2nd best defensive rebounding percentage (79%). They make the 2nd least three's per game (7.75) while hitting the 8th best clip from deep (34%) on 23 attempts, the lowest three point rate in the league (31% 3point rate). Okwera presence gives them the 2nd best block rate in the league (13% blk%).
Matchup to Watch: Brice Johnson v David Okwera - Johnson found his form from deep in his second outing and his ability to pull Okwera from the paint will be key to opening up driving lanes for his Giants teammates. Okwera will have the advantage athletically, and if he can put the Johnson to the bench with foul trouble the Bulls will have a palpable advantage in the paint.
