Mills Albert Wellington Saints (8-3, 2nd) v The Property Brokers Manawatū Jets (8-4, 4th)
The Jets have won five in a row to sit on equal wins with the top of the table but regional rival and fellow eight-win team Saints are ready to test the mettle of that winning streak. Will the revamped Jets be cleared for takeoff once again or will the Saints trade window machinations give them the upper hand?
When: Saturday 17th May, Rapid League 6:30pm, Sal's NBL 7:30pm
Where: TSB Arena, Wellington
Watch: Live in New Zealand on Sky Sport 5 | USA: ESPN3 | International: FIBA YouTube
Box score here
Last Time Out:
The Jets looked to keep the Giants on a single win in their last run before the break but 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.
The Saints made the trip up to New Plymouth looking to avoid the season sweep against the Airs and they jumped out to an early lead as the backcourt of Shea Ili (20pts, 4rbs, 3ast, 3stls, 1blk) and Izayah Le'afa (22pts, 5ast, 1blk, 1stl) looked to impose their will on the bigger Airs squad. But Taranaki would rally as Owen Foxwell (16pts, 4rbs, 4ast) pushed the squad to a 1 point quarter time deficit as the Airs size controlled the paint paced by Jack Andrew (23pts, 14rbs, 2blks). But the balance would shift back to the Saints as they stiffened on the interior down the stretch to dominate the 4th quarter 18-6 to grab the 12 point victory to sit second on the ladder.
What to Expect:
The Jets are a powerful offense that has seen Corey Webster (24.6ppg, 6.9apg) dominate early in games and Miles Gibson (24.5ppg, 7.5ppg) take the reigns in the second half. They work defenses in the half court with precision play out of the pick and roll, with Webster or Dante Russo-Nance (19.5ppg, 5.2rpg, 4.6apg, 2.9stls) guiding the action, Kenny Goins (12.3ppg, 8.5rpg) and Isaac Miller-Jose (10.4ppg, 5.7rpg) have been holding down the interior, while they aren't the biggest combo upfront they have proven to be timely and effective. They have a new look as Quinton Rose joins the roster to offer a more balanced option on the wing. The depth is still a question mark, but with Webster and Gibson first and second in the NBL in minutes that will only be a problem if foul trouble strikes.
The Saints have taken 5 wins out of their last 6 games and become even more dangerous with the addition of Jordan Ngatai, who joined the team in a midseason trade. Their excellence starts in the backcourt with Shea Ili (18.4ppg, 6apg) and Izayah Le'afa (14.2ppg, 5.7apg) causing havoc in passing lanes while putting pressure on the scoreboard. Nick Marshall (19.4ppg, 7.8rpg) is always on the cusp of scoring and the pressure he puts on the rim opens up space for Hyrum Harris (15.0ppg, 11.3rpg, 5apg) and Nick Musyznski (14.4ppg, 8.1rpg) on the baseline and off the offensive glass. When the defense is causing turnovers they can overwhelm the opposition but when the defense drops the offense can stutter as well.
Matchup to Watch: Corey Webster & Dante Russo-Nance vs Shea Ili and Izayah Le'afa - This will likely be a story about backcourt excellence with the offensive prowess of the Saints coming up against the offensive excellence of the Jets. Will the Saints find a way to slow down the Jets high octane offense or will Manawatū get the job on their homecourt once again.
Stats that Might Matter:
| Stat | Jets | Saints |
| Scoring Offense | 101.58 (2nd) | 95.09 (4th) |
| Scoring Defense | 91.50 (7th) | 85.64 (4th) |
| Effective Field Goal % | 53% (5th) | 54% (3rd) |
| Field Goal % Defense | 45% (7th) | 42% (1st) |
| Free Throw Rate | 23% (11th) | 28% (6th) |
| Free Throw % | 70% (8th) | 76% (1st) |
| Three Point Rate | 36% (11h) | 39% (7th) |
| Three Point % | 33% (6th) | 35% (3rd) |
| Turnover Rate | 9% (1st) | 13% (8th) |
| Assist Rate | 52% (11th) | 62% (2nd) |
| Offensive Rebound Rate | 33% (1st) | 24% (8th) |
| Defensive Rebound Rate | 74% (6th) | 77% (1st) |
| Block Rate | 9% (5th) | 11% (1st) |
| Steal Rate | 12% (1st) | 9% (9th) |
all advanced stats courtesy of spatialjam.com
