Big Barrel Hawks (5-4, 7th) v Logik Franklin Bulls (6-3, 3rd)
The Hawks fly back to the nest after failing to find cohesion in a pair of games where they couldn't hit top flying speed but their inconsistency pales in comparison to the Bulls roller coaster ride a week ago. Which team will steady the ship to grab a victory and keep up with the pack of teams chasing a top 6 spot on the ladder.
When: Friday 25th April, Rapid League 2pm, Sal's NBL 3pm
Where: Rodney Green Arenas, Taradale
Watch: Live in New Zealand on Sky Open & Sky Sport 2 | USA: ESPN3 | International: FIBA YouTube
Box score here
Last Time Out:
The Hawks traveled to face the Jets, a squad that had previously bested them, even without 3 current starters who were yet to feature in the lineup giving the visitors confidence they would make it 2 from 2 with the additional talent. But the Jets came out firing, flying to a slender 2 point lead at the quarter before watching the offense explode for 30 points in the second quarter as Corey Webster (29pts, 4rbs, 8ast) and Dontae Russo-Nance 2opts, 4stls) kept the scoreboard ticking over to take a 6 point halftime lead. Dan Grida (24pts, 9rbs) and Jackson Ball (20pts, 8rbs) would respond in the 3rd quarter but the Jets would keep the Hawks at arms distance as Miles Gibson (30pts, 5rbs) would lift his scoring in the second half to hold Hawke's Bay off to grab a 103-91 win.
The Bulls took to their home court with a chance to claim equal wins with the ladder leading Saints, all that stood in their way was Sharks squad that had found form with a much needed win but the Bulls confidence was high that their rekindled 3-point attack would see them through. After a tight first quarter they held a slender 1-point lead, but then the floodgates opened and the Sharks opened a 92-48 run over the final three quarters as Josiah Allick (27pts, 13rbs, 4as) and Keylan Boone (26pts, 10rbs) combined to lead an offense where 7 Southlanders hit 2 threes or more to complete a 114-71 thrashing.
What to Look For:
The Hawks haven't been able to smoothly mesh the core of the roster that held fort for the first part of the season but that should come around shortly as they become more familiar with what is required to gel as a unit. Dan Grida (28.5ppg, 7.5rpg) lifts the energy and effort on both sides of the ball and has been a terror in transition. The 3-point shooting has cooled of late, not having topped 35% in their last 6 games. They are coming off their worst turnover game of the season (20 turnovers that led to 34 points) and will need to be aware of that aspect against a Bulls teams that preys upon passing lanes. Darnell Cowart (18ppg, 9rpg, 5apg) and Luca Yates (6.8ppg, 9.5rpg) will need to stay out of foul trouble and contribute on the glass to slow down a physical front line.
The Bulls are coming off their worst loss of the season, a truly perplexing result where they earned their second lowest points total of the year after topping 100 points in back to back wins. The three point shooting had found a new level with the addition's of Ethan Rusbatch (19ppg, 42% 3pfg) and Flynn Cameron but regressed to a season low 16% in the last game but F. Cameron is still out with injury impacting their playmaking and shooting. That shooting will lift and if the Bulls hit 10 or more three's they should put themselves in position to grab a win on the road. When they lost to the Hawks earlier this season they gave up 21 turnovers, a number that will need to be tempered but their defense, at it's best, is as good as any in the league.
Matchup to Watch: Dan Grida v Ethan Rusbatch - Two guards that have proven to be engines for their teams offenses in different ways. Grida finds space in transition and hard drives with catches on the weak side while Rusbatch's pure jump shot changes the geometry of the court and lifts the offensive level of a team that can get mired in the offensive muck.
Stats that Might Matter:
| Stat | Hawks | Bulls |
| Scoring Offense | 94.78ppg (5th) | 87.22ppg (9th) |
| Scoring Defense | 93.44ppg (8th) | 84ppg (2nd) |
| Effective Field Goal % | 56% (2nd) | 51% (9th) |
| Field Goal % Defense | 45% (6th) | 42% (1st) |
| Free Throw Rate | 31% (4th) | 24% (9th) |
| Free Throw % | 73% (3rd) | 70% (6th) |
| Three Point Rate | 38% (10th) | 38% (9th) |
| Three Point % | 32% (8th) | 32% (9th) |
| Turnover Rate | 15% (9th) | 16% (10th) |
| Assist Rate | 54% (8th) | 57% (7th) |
| Offensive Rebound Rate | 71% (10th) | 75% (5th) |
| Defensive Rebound Rate | 21% (last) | 29% (4th) |
| Block Rate | 6% (8th) | 11% (1st) |
| Steal Rate | 9% (7th) | 11% (3rd) |
all advanced stats courtesy of spatialjam.com
