Big Barrel Hawks (2-0) v Night 'n Day Otago Nuggets (0-2)
The Hawks are an early season surprise package that few pundits saw sitting at the top of the ladder and even fewer saw projected the impact a star teenager would have. The Nuggets came together later than most teams and have yet to show cohesion on the offensive end. Will the Hawks be able to defend their nest for the third straight time or do the Nuggets have the right combination on defense to surprise the early season bolters.
When: Friday 21 March, Rapid League 6:30pm, Sal's NBL 7:30pm
Where: Rodney Green Arena
Watch: Live on | New Zealand: Sky Sport 4 | USA: ESPN3 | International: FIBA YouTube
Boxscore here
Last Time Out:
The Hawks are 2-0 in the Nest with the last wind coming down to the wire as they held off a determined Jets squad to claim a slender 3-point win (103-100)behind another star making turn from Jackson Ball (36pts, 8rbs, 3ast), versatile play from import Darnell Cowart (25pts, 13rbs, 5ast) and impact off the bench from Jacob Murphy (19pts, 5rbs). Tough D and timely offense has been the key for a young squad still missing 2 imports and their head coach.
The Nuggets hit the road for their 2nd game of the year with improved talent thanks to the addition of Don Carey Jr and the return (temporarily) of Todd Withers as they played the first Sal's NBL game in Rotorua since 2011 to face the Whai. The result was an improved performance from the tip, but one where the early energy and intensity would wane behind an offense that was increasingly static as the game progressed. The final result would see all 3 imports contribute double figures (led by Jose Perez 26pts, 10rbs, 3ast) to an effort that never really came close to taking control of the game that would end in a 15pt loss (97-82).
What to Watch For:
Is it reductive to say Jackson Ball? Definitely not. This 17-year old has exploded onto the s scene while averaging 38 points a game in the early season. He has been the engine for the Hawks half court offense with a game that belies his birth certificate. Of course an engine can't run with one part and everyone who takes the court has been doing their part of the lifting. Darnell Cowart may be the Hawks answer to Jokić with his ability to hub the offense out of the high post as a facilitator that couples with bully ball in the low post. Cambell Scott's recruitment looks key as he has brought the expected shooting that stretches the floor and an unexpected ability to create for others as he leads the league in assists with 8 per game over the first two games. A young core (not younger than Ball, but still young) has offered timely contributions all over the court including the bouncy athleticism of Clifton Bush III and two way play of Jacob Murphy.
The Nuggets come to town looking like they may have the right combination of size and strength to exploit the weaknesses of this Hawks lineup. With 2 games under their belt there should be a better understanding of what they are trying to accomplish on the offensive end, looking to play coming through Jose Perez as he uses his prodigious talents to grind the low post, while also possessing the length and switchy-ness needed to make things difficult on the defensive end. The offense looks to be running through Perez, whose unorthodox yet solid post skills have defenders in a tizzy which normally ends in a trip to the Chemist Warehouse stripe, Don Carey Jr's pick-n-roll game with the ball in hand and the catch and shoot game on the weak side swings of the ball. But success in this game will come down to defense. Will the Nuggets unleash the length and strength of Todd Withers and Matthew Bardsley onto Ball with switches? Can a switching defense hold up against Cowart in the low post? Can the Nugs get back in transition to take away the easy buckets? If those questions don't end up having the right answers Otago could be looking at an 0-3 start to the 25 season.
Small Sample Size Stats:
Hawks -The Hawks boast a 62% effective field goal rate (2nd in league) thanks to great shot selection and the ability to find occasional opportunities in transition but they can get loose with the ball, which is evidenced by their 15% turnover rate (9th in league). They will need to execute well in the half court is key as they are last in steal rate (6%) so can't feast in the transition game and have a 24% free throw rate (10th) so will struggle to keep the scoreboard ticking if things get grindy. They can control possesion with their league best defensive rebounding rate (70%).
Nuggets - The Nuggets haven't created the highest quality looks yet, leading to the third worst effective field goal percentage in the comp (43%). They have kept the scoreboard ticking over with an uncanny ability to get to the line (42% free throw rate, best in league) driven by the free throw merchant skills of Perez. Playing catchup can be tough for a team that has the second lowest three point rate in the league (35%).
Matchup to Watch: Darnell Cowart v Jose Perez - Yes, everyone is tuning in for Jackson Ball to see if he can keep up the phenomenal start, but the bigs will have a great deal to say about the outcome. If Perez gets Cowart in foul trouble early there are few foils for his style of play on the Hawks bench (if any) but if Cowart gets freedom to attack the passing lanes he has the skill to pick this defense apart.
