Big Barrel Hawks (6-5, 6th) v Northern Group Tauranga Whai (5-5, 7th)
The Hawks are coming off their biggest win of the season but need some injury luck to get whole again while the Whai are looking to avoid their 4th straight loss overall and their second this season to the Hawks. The winner of this game will be have a place in the top 6 so expect all the tricks to be pulled out.
When: Wednesday 9th April, Rapid League 6pm, Sal's NBL 7pm
Where: Rodney Green Arenas, Taradale Napier
Watch: Live in New Zealand on Sky Sport 2 | USA: ESPN3 | International: FIBA YouTube
Box score here
Last Time Out:
The Hawks were already down Darnell Cowart when Dan Grida was a lay-up line scratch making a daunting matchup on the road against the ladder leading Saints. But Wani Swaka Lo Buluk (24pts, 6rbs) came out firing and Luca Yates (14pts, 21rbs, 5ast) dominated the glass as the Hawks held the Saints to 27 points in the first half as they built a 12 point lead. But Hyrum Harris (10pts, 11rbs, 4ast, 3blks) would power the defense while Nick Marshall (26pts, 13rbs) lifted the O to see the Saint claim back a few buckets to see the deficit shrink to 3 points on a Shea Ili (17pts, 8rbs, 4ast) layup with 8 minutes to play. But the Hawks collective was shaken and would find form down the stretch to claim the 87-75 road win.
The Whai traveled to New Plymouth looking to stop a two game slide and hold their position in the top six but with Armon Fletcher out the Airs would start with a massive size advantage as Dom Kelman0-Poto joined an already big lineup, and that size would translate to results as as Harry Froling (15pts, 6rbs, 4ast) and Jack Andrew got loose on the interior (29pts, 15rbs) the Airs grabbed an 11point lead early in the second quarter. But the Whai found a way battle back and a Sean Baristow (22pts, 7rbs, 6ast) reverse layup would tie things up early in the third. Tthe Airs would seem to take control again, but the Whai would battle back behind to tie the game again in the fourth quarter the efforts Chris Jones (19pts, 8ast) and others to see the lead down to a single point with 25 seconds left, but a Carlin Davison (19pts, 4rbs, 7ast) backdoor slam would give the Airs the space they needed to claim a huge 95-90 victory.
What to Expect:
The Hawks should come into the game with a heap of confidence following their last win and it's always a bonus to welcome back Dan Grida (27.4ppg, 7.8rpg, 2.6apg) into a lineup as he lifts the energy on both sides of the court while being a demon in transition. Darnell Cowart (back) is questionable to take the court but the lack of size shouldn't be a huge issue against the Whai, especially if Luca Yates (7.8ppg, 11.5rpg) can find a similar level of rebounding and be aggressive offensively. Jackson Ball (21.4ppg) has seen his usage drop but the ball still finds him down the stretch when games get decided and Wani Swaka Lo Buluk is coming off a huge confidence inspiring performand. The bench mob of Campbell Scott, Jacob Murphy and Kobe Kara have been timely and without their efforts they would have a much lower ceiling.
The Whai have a grindy style that keeps them in games by pulling opponents away from efficiency to get them play down in the muck. Chris Jones (16.9ppg, 5.6rpg, 4.9apg) epitomises this with his tough defense and desire to get to the rim. Sean Bairstow (12.5ppg, 6.5rpg) should be a good foil for Grida and is coming off his most productive game of the season while Kruz Perrot-Hunt (16.1ppg, 3,8rpg) has been a dependable option, hitting double figures in 9 of 10 games. Up front Talib Zanna (8.3ppg, 6.7rpg) has been bruising of late and his partnership with Carter Hopoi (10.7ppg, 4.4rpg) gives them a version of thunder and lightning and the addition Denhym Brooke (5.6ppg) has offered much needed depth.
Stats that Might Matter:
| Stat | Hawks | Whai |
| Scoring Offense | 92.73ppg (5th) | 82.60ppg (10th) |
| Scoring Defense | 91.27ppg (7th) | 81.90ppg (1st) |
| Effective Field Goal % | 54% (4th) | 38% (11th) |
| Field Goal % Defense | 45% (7th) | 44% (3rd) |
| Free Throw Rate | 31% (3rd) | 28% (5th) |
| Free Throw % | 73% (5th) | 75% (3rd) |
| Three Point Rate | 38% (8th) | 44% (4th) |
| Three Point % | 31% (9th) | 30% (10th) |
| Turnover Rate | 15% (4th) | 12% (10th) |
| Assist Rate | 55% (3rd) | 55% (9th) |
| Offensive Rebound Rate | 30% (4th) | 22% (11th) |
| Defensive Rebound Rate | 70% (11th) | 72% (10th) |
| Block Rate | 6% (10th) | 6% (9th) |
| Steal Rate | 9% (8th) | 11% (2nd) |
all advanced stats courtesy of spatialjam.com
