Big Barrel Hawks (7-5, 6th) NBS Nelson Giants (1-9, 11th)
The Hawks went into the international break coming of the type of win that can lift a team for the season but welcome a Giants squad that is vastly more talented then the team that has struggled up to this point in the season. Will Hawke's Bay ride a wave of motivation and get an eighth win that will put them atop the ladder or will Nelson come out of the break with newfound winning ways.
When: Friday 16th May, Rapid League 6:30pm, Sal's NBL 7:30pm
Where: Rodney Green Arenas, Taradale Napier
Watch: Live in New Zealand on Sky Sport 5 | USA: ESPN3 | International: FIBA YouTube
Box score here
Last Time Out:
Before the international break the Hawks hosted the Whai in what may turn out to be the game of the year, as young stars Jackson Ball (33pts, 3rbs, 40 minutes played) and Carter Hopoi (24pts, 5rbs, 1blk) propelled their teams to an even score entering the fourth quarter. It stayed tight throughout but when the Whai scored to go up 5 with 1:24 left the game looked out of reach. But then, a Dan Grida (20pts, 9rbs) triple was followed by an unbelievable 4-point play by Kobe Kara (6pts, 10rbs) giving the Hawks a 1-point lead with 16 seconds to play. Jayden Bezzant (21pts, 4ast, 3rbs) answered as he has so many times before with a three, grabbing a 2-point lead with 3 seconds on the clock. But then, Luca Yates (10pts, 17rbs) caught the ball and released a three point prayer that was answered at the buzzer, thrusting the hawks nest into a frenzy with the 88-87 win.
The Giants checked into the Hangar in Palmerston North to see if their improved front line could keep pace with the powerful Jets offense. The G-men came out firing as Jeremy Combs (33pts, 7rbs, 4ast) and Callum McRae (10pts, 12rbs, 2stls) carved out space on the interior to build a 5 point quarter time lead. In response Corey Webster (24pts, 8ast) and Isaac Miller-Jose (25pts, 13rbs, 1blk) formed a partnership that sliced through the Giants D to claim the halftime lead. The Giants fought back behind Alex Robinson (23pts, 6rbs, 7ast) and Liam Judd (19pts, 4rbs) during a 32 point 3rd quarter but they couldn't contain Miles Gibson (23pts, 5rbs) down the stretch, as he hit an overtime forcing triple with 11 seconds left, allowing the home team to claim a 112-104 victory to reach fourth on the ladder.
What to Expect:
The Hawks will still be without Darnell Cowart (back injury) and swing Clifton Bush Jr, making the squad thin on the front line against a Giants team that has been tough to stop on the block. But with the departure of that size comes the opportunity to play at a quicker pace with Campbell Scott (11.7ppg, 3.5apg, 36%3pfg)inserted into the starting lineup. The addition of Kahu Treacher will lift the talent level of the bench mob, but does nothing for the experience factor, as the Hawks remain one of the youngest teams in the league. The teams solid defense and ability to get to the line should keep them in most games but to secure a victory tonight Dan Grida (26.2ppg, 8rpg, 2stls) and Jackson Ball (22.3ppg, 3.7rpg, 3.3apg) will need to fire from the perimeter and in transition while Luca Yates (8.1ppg, 12.4rpgholds down the interior without getting into foul trouble.
Hot on the back of the key additions upfront of Callum McRae (14ppg, 9rpg) and Jeremy Combs (25.7ppg, 8rpg, 4.7apg) comes in Andrew Jones, who will be hoping to add the pop offensively from the wing that has only been available sporadically to the Giants up to this point in the season. If he is able to provide the hoped for lift, look for Alex Robinson (16.2ppg, 6apg, 5.4rpg) and Liam Judd (11.6ppg, 3.4rpg) to find more space to move for an offense that has found room to penetrate in short supply. With that space the visitors may be able to crash the O-boards to a higher degree, but they will need to be wary of giving up extra opportunities on the glass when defending.
Matchup to Watch: Luca Yates v Cal McRae - While the guards will be doing the scoring it will be the bigs who secure the rebounds to get those fastbreaks going, and with both teams only having one true big on the roster a physical battle in the post is likely to bring a few whistles. The big man that can control that defensive glass and stay out of foul trouble will have great influence on his team winning the game.
Stats that Might Matter:
| Stat | Hawks | Giants |
| Scoring Offense | 92.33 (5th) | 83.50 (11th) |
| Scoring Defense | 90.92 (5th) | 95.20 10th) |
| Effective Field Goal % | 54% (4th) | 49% (10th) |
| Field Goal % Defense | 44% (3rd) | 49% (10th) |
| Free Throw Rate | 32% (3rd) | 28% (5th) |
| Free Throw % | 76% (2nd) | 66% (11th) |
| Three Point Rate | 38% (8th) | 37% (9th) |
| Three Point % | 31% (11th) | 32% (10th) |
| Turnover Rate | 15% (9th) | 13% (7th) |
| Assist Rate | 53% (10th) | 62% (3rd) |
| Offensive Rebound Rate | 23% (11th) | 28% (6th) |
| Defensive Rebound Rate | 73% (8th) | 72% (10th) |
| Block Rate | 6% (9th) | 6% (8th) |
| Steal Rate | 8% (10th) | 8% (11th) |
all advanced stats courtesy of spatialjam.com
