Wheeler Motor Company Canterbury Rams (1-1) v Southland Sharks (1-0)
The Rams take to their homecourt again for an early season test against the Sharks. Southland comes in with just 1 game played, but looked in midseason form in that lone outing. Can a Sharks team that looks reengergised on both ends of the court step into the paddock and take down the defending champs?
When: Saturday 22 March, Rapid League 63ppm, Sal's NBL 7:30pm
Where: Cowles Stadium, Christchurch
Watch: Live on Sky Sport 2 | USA: ESPN3 | International: FIBA YouTube
Boxscore here
Last Time Out:
The Rams opened their home stadium with a start to finish victory over South Island rival Giants, jumping out of the games to a 23-4 lead they would never come in danger of relinquishing. A first quarter 3-point explosion was driven by the starting backcourt of Taylor Britt(23pts, 3ast) and Tama Isaac(23pts, 5rbs, 7ast) while Tohi Smith-Milner's double double (16pts, 11rbs, 2ast) held fort on the interior.
The Sharks haven't taken the floor since their road opener at Otago where they took down an undermanned Nuggets squad to dominate the Southern Stoush with a 98-70 victory. Josiah Allick (26pts, 11rbs, 2ast) did much of that dominating on the interior while Alonzo Burton (19pts, 5-6 3pfg) and Tukaha Cooper (19pts, 4rbs, 6ast, 4-6 3pfg) bombed away from deep.
What to Look For:
The Rams are still finding their identity still not being close to full strength, they'll be a bit closer to 100% as they welcome Walter Brown back to true creator offensively, but he fold, but will be short on import talent still to join the squad. Until those players join the team they will need to rely on ball movement and the penetrating skills of Taylor Britt to create opportunities in the half-court, but with a roster full of shooters they are still able to find flow offensively. Britt and Tama Isaac can both facilitate for their teamates and keep defenses honest with their own scoring abilities, but the perimeter abilities of Tohi Smith-Milner will be the tool that can most bend the defense of the Sharks.
The Sharks defense has yet to be tested with just 1 game under their belts but has all the tools to disrupt things in the half court. Josiah Allick looks to be the hub of the offense, with an ability to score in the post off the catch and hit the deep ball when left open, but his potency on the offensive glass could be what is most difficult to contain. The shooting of Alonzo Burton will stretch defenses while the penetration of Caleb Asberry looks to find the lanes created by his gravity on the perimeter. This is a deeper team than recent seasons and one that played with great energy to open the season. If that energy can outpace the home team for a full 40 minutes the Sharks may be able to sneak a victory on the home court of the defending champions.
Small Sample Size Stats:
Canterbury- The Rams have the second lowest defensive rebounding percentage in the league (65%) but counter that with the 2nd best offensive rebounding rate (35%). The team has looked more comfortable slowing things down and have the second slowest pace in the league (73). Efficiency is key as the current personnel don't get to the line with any frequency (25% free throw rate, 9th in league)
Southland- The Sharks have the most efficient offense in the league (65% efg) but turn the ball over at the third highest rate (16% turnover rate) but make up possession with the best steal rate in the league (16%). They control just 69% of defensive rebounds (8th) but attack the o boards well (32% orb, 4th). They've get to the line at a league low rate (17% free throw rate) but have the best offensive rating in the competition (130).
Matchup to Watch: Tohi Smith Milner v Josiah Allick - The Battle of the bigs is always key but this clash of styles could decide the winner of the matchup. Will Smith-Milner's shooting pull Allick away from the paint, opening up opportunities for o boards and driving lanes or will Allick's energy around the rim draw fouls and force the Rams to their options off the bench.
