The Rams dominated this matchup during the regular season, blowing out the Sharks twice by an average of over 40 points behind an explosive, balanced offence and stifling defence. But the Sharks arrive in Wellington riding a late-season wave, with All-NBL calibre stars and plenty of size inside. Can Southland’s physicality and rebounding disrupt the Rams’ rhythm and book them a spot in the Grand Final? Or will Canterbury’s firepower prove too much again on the big stage and get them one step closer to a vaunted three-peat?
When: Saturday 12th July, Semi Final 1: 2pm
Where: Cowles Stadium, Christchurch
Watch: Live in NZ on Sky Sport 3 | USA: ESPN3 | International: FIBA YouTube
Box score Available Here
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The Rams shot a blistering 61% from the field and 50% from three, while their tenacious defense forced 22 turnovers which led directly to 34 points. Taylor Britt and Kaia Isaac both poured in 27 points each (a season high for Isaac) as Canterbury’s pace and defensive pressure overwhelmed the Sharks. The Rams were without Sean MacDonald and C.J. Penha, allowing Tama Isaac to sore 21 off the pine. Keylan Boone shot 10-13 from the field and 5-7 from deep but the rest of the squad went 23-68 (35%) and 7-27 (25%) respectively. Sam Timmins was yet to join the Sharks and lone wolf Josiah Allick (4-13fg) struggled against a still Kyle Bowen-less front line, while Caleb Asberry could only manage a season low 6 points (3rb, 6ast) on his 10 shots. The Rams moved to 2-1 while the Sharks dropped to 1-1 in this early season romp.
Rams standouts: Britt (27pts, 8ast, 5rb), Isaac (27pts, 11-14fg 2stls), Tama Isaac (21pts, 3rbs, 6ast)
Sharks standouts: Boone (26pts, 4rbs), Allick (10pts, 7rbs), Tukaha Cooper (10pts) Alonzo Burton (11pts, 4rbs, 3stls),
Breakdown: The Rams played at a different speed and brought elite physicality from the tip. Their defensive intensity forced the Sharks into mistakes, fuelling transition points and an avalanche of scoring in the second half. Canterbury finished +6 on the boards, +22 in points from turnovers, had a 58-36 advantage on points in the paint and a 23-4 advantage on free throw attempts in a superior display.
Even on the road, the Rams kept rolling as they moved to 8-2 with their fourth straight win as five Rams scored in double figures, with four of those hitting 21 or more. Walter Brown and CJ Penha led the way while the team shot 63% from inside the arc while draining 19 three's at 43%. The Rams controlled the glass (52-33 advantage) and grabbed a +15 on second chance points (22-7) even with Kyle Bowen Fouling out in 16 minutes.
The Sharks kept it close early, up 30-26 with 8:30 left in the 2nd, but Penha and MacDonald would combine for 20 in the quarter and the Rams never looked back. Asberry was much better the second time around, but a still Sam Timmins-less squad couldn't compete on the glass as they dropped to 4-6.
Sharks highlights: Asberry (25pts, 4rb, 3ast), Boone (26pts, 12rbs), Allick (16pts, 7rbs, 2stls), Tukaha Cooper (12pts, 3rbs, 2ast)
Rams highlights: Penha (25pts, 6rbs), Brown (25pts, 7rbs). Kaia Isaac (24pts, 5rbs, 3ast), Sean MacDonald (21pts, 4rbs, 3ast)
Breakdown: Rams’ ball movement (30 assists) and hot shooting combined with another lockdown defensive display and proved too much as the game went along. Sharks’ turnovers and cold stretches led to a blowout as the Rams dominated the last three quarters of the game.
| Player | PPG | FG% | 3P% | RPG | APG | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sean McDonald | 21.5 | 45% | 43% | 2.9 | 5.6 | All-Star Five member and sharp-shooter who has shown his facilitation skills without Britt in the lineup; scored 23 vs Sharks in Game 2 |
| Taylor Britt | 15.8 | 45% | 30% | 2.9 | 5.9 | The General, Rams have struggled in his absence; Can score or set the table and is key to the defense. Had season high 27 in first meeting |
| Kyle Bowen | 10.7 | 50% | 20% | 8.4 | 13.5 | Strong interior presence as a rebounder & finisher. Can knock down 3's if given time |
| Walter Brown | 13.6 | 49% | 34% | 5.9 | 1.9 | Versatile wing who plays both ends, his Defense on Boone will be key |
| Tohi Smith-Milner | 12.6 | 46% | 38% | 7.5 | 2.0 | Experienced stretch big; hits big shots |
| Kaia Isaac | 10.9 | 46% | 34% | 3.8 | 2.2 | Quick scorer; also dropped 27 & 24 vs Sharks- his two highest totals of season |
Bench mob: Tamatoa Isaac (10.1 ppg, 4.3 apg) brings playmaking and defense and is listed as available; Samuel Smith (56% FG, 67% 3P) adds efficient shooting; Max Darling (9.0 ppg, 5.0 rpg) provides energy inside and will be a perfect foil for Allick.
Breakdown: The Rams’ edge is their depth: seven players averaging 9+ points, elite spacing, and defence that turns stops into easy points. The return of Britt and Tama Isaac will be key as the offense finds a higher gear with the keys in their hands. The overpowered the Sharks during the season, but Timmins will make that a tougher task.
| Player | PPG | FG% | 3P% | RPG | APG | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Josiah Allick | 19.0 | 59% | 33% | 11.2 | 3.0 | MVP and All Star Five, double-double machine; must stay out of foul trouble and find greater efficiency then he provided in the season matchups. |
| Keylan Boone | 21.3 | 48% | 45% | 7.5 | 1.9 | Elite shooter who doesn't need the ball in hand to be effective; can stretch floor or attack. Effective defender with good length in the passing lanes |
| Caleb Asberry | 15.7 | 49% | 35% | 4.6 | 7.4 | Floor general who is coming off a season high 35pts; 7.4 assists per game, 2.1 steals. Can be a turnover risk but you wouldn't want to temper his aggressiveness |
| Samuel Timmins | 14.2 | 53% | 33% | 8.4 | 3.5 | Rim protector; this will be his first matchup against the Rams. Needs regular touches to impose himself. |
| Tukaha Cooper | 9.4 | 42% | 40% | 2.3 | 2.0 | Versatile wing threat who hit double figures vs Rams twice. Has grown in confidence and will punish you if ignored |
Bench mob: Alonzo Burton (10.4 ppg, 40% 3P) will stretch the defense; Brayden Inger is a swiss army knife that can guard multiple positions and add timely offense and size..
Breakdown: The Sharks’ path to an upset: Allick & Timmins dominate the glass, balanced scoring that doesn't depend on any one hot hand, but the biggest key will be limiting turnovers — all while Boone & Asberry spark the offence.
Asberry vs Britt: Playmaker vs attacker; whichever guard controls tempo could tip the balance. Will Britt's layoff make him rusty? Can Asberry handle the relentless pressure that will be coming?
Boone vs Brown: Boone’s elite scoring vs Brown’s length and athleticism, who gets the upper hand?
Allick & Timmins vs Smith-Milner, Bowen & Darling: Battle of the boards; Sharks’ size vs Rams’ mobility and versatility.
Canterbury dominated both meetings, forcing turnovers and running up big scores through balanced shooting and pace. Southland’s chance: control the pace, own the glass with Allick & Timmins, get big games from Boone & Asberry, limit turnovers while winning the possession battle . The Rams can’t afford to be complacent as this is a different Sharks team then they faced during the regular season, and late season wobbles have shown that it they aren't at their best they are vulnerable. But if the tempo is theirs, the Rams are very hard to beat.
Will the Sharks’ size and rebounding stand up to the Rams with a full strength roster, or will the Rams’ depth and speed book them a spot in the Grand Final?
| Regular Season Stats | Rams | Sharks |
|---|---|---|
| Scoring Offence | 98.8 (1st) | 90.5 (5th) |
| Scoring Defence | 85.2 (3rd) | 89.9 (6th) |
| Effective FG% | 54% (2nd) | 56% (1st) |
| FG% Defence | 44% (3rd) | 43% (2nd) |
| Free Throw Rate | 26% (last) | 27% (10th) |
| Three Point Rate | 43% (1st) | 42% (5th) |
| Free Throw % | 72% (5th) | 74% (3rd) |
| Three Point % | 34% (1st) | 37% (1st) |
| Turnover Rate | 11% (1st) | 15% (10th) |
| Assist Rate | 62% (2nd) | 65% (1st) |
| Offensive Rebound Rate | 31% (1st) | 29% (3rd) |
| Defensive Rebound Rate | 77% (2nd) | 72% (6th) |
| Block Rate | 9% (4th) | 11% (2nd) |
| Steal Rate | 11(2nd) | 8% (10th) |
All advanced stats courtesy of spatialjam.com
