Southland Sharks (10-8, 4th) v Steelformers Tauranga Whai (8-10, 3rd)
The Sharks’ five-game winning streak has them eyeing a home finals game in the Sharktank, but a determined Whai squad, who must win to stay in the hunt, stands in their way. Can the Sharks extend their streak and lock down a finals spot, or will the Whai sweep the Southern Swing to keep their postseason hopes alive?
When: Sunday 28th June, Rapid League 5:30pm, Sal's NBL 6:30pm
Where: ILT Stadium Southland, Invercargill
Watch: Live in New Zealand on Sky Sport 3 | USA: ESPN3 | International: FIBA YouTube |
Last Time Out:
The Sharks travelled to Auckland sitting on the Final 6 bubble but riding the momentum of a four-game winning streak, while the Tuatara were looking to bounce back from a loss. Right from the tip, Southland looked the more composed side. Keylan Boone (19pts, 6rbs, 6asts, 2stls, 3blks) found his stroke from beyond the arc, and the frontcourt duo of Josiah Allick (13pts, 15rbs, 3asts, 1blk) and Sam Timmins (20pts, 10rbs, 2asts) controlled the offensive glass. The Sharks’ defensive intensity forced Auckland’s key scorers (Buay Tuach, Luther Muhammad and Charles Pride) into a combined 11-of-42 shooting night, while the rebounding battle swung Southland’s way by 15. A decisive third-quarter burst saw the Sharks stretch the lead to 14, enough to hold off the Tuatara’s late rally and secure a gritty 86–80 victory on the road.
Tauranga traveled to Dunedin, needing a win to keep their finals hopes alive but facing a Nuggets team focused on giving their fans a win in their last game of the year. That focus led to an explosive opening quarter as Don Carey Jr. (23pts, 8rbs, 4ast) bombed away from deep to build a 26-17 lead at the break. Anzac Rissetto (22pts, 5rbs, 1blk) muscled his way into the game but the Nuggets still led at the break. Mojave King (23pts, 6rbs, 3ast, 2blks) started to make his presence felt in the third and it looked like the Whai would pull away when the lead hit 17 with 9 minutes left. But Jono Janssen (25pts, 6rbs, 4ast) found space on the interior while the team combined for 4 triples to slice the lead to just 2 points with 30 seconds left. but Sean Bairstow (13pts, 4rbs, 8ast) floater followed by Rissetto block to King fastbreak dunk sealed the 88-82 win. The Whai staying in the finals hunt, the Nuggets dropping a 14th straight loss.
What to Expect:
The Sharks have firmly discovered their identity over recent weeks, climbing the league ladder behind dominant interior play. Josiah Allick and Sam Timmins form a formidable 1–2 punch inside, imposing their physicality to dominate the glass while finishing efficiently around the rim. Keylan Boone has settled in as the preferred scoring option, with a unique blend of skill, length and athleticism that is tough to contain. Caleb Asberry has become the straw that stirs the drink, balancing scoring with facilitating at a high level. Depth is tested by injuries to Johnny Helu and Alonzo Burton, but Tukaha Cooper and Brayden Inger will step up to soak up minutes. Even if they deliver, more depth will likely be needed, and it remains to be seen who from the wider group can rise to the occasion.
The Whai took the first leg of the Southern Swing, but to stay in the hunt they need to complete the sweep — and will need a higher level of execution to do so. Anzac Rissetto must be dominant on the boards to battle the strength of the Sharks, but it’ll take a team effort on the glass for the full 40 minutes. Mojave King has become the primary scoring threat, using paint penetrations to create highlight finishes and force defensive rotations. The Seans (Murphy and Bairstow) bring toughness and versatility, with Murphy inside and Bairstow on the wing, but they’ll need to lift both efficiency and volume to keep pace with Southland. One of Kruz Perrott-Hunt or Jayden Bezzant will need to spark the offense; both are capable of catching fire, but like the Sharks, the Whai will also need other contributors from their wider rotation to step up to get the win.
Matchup to Watch: Keylan Boone v Mojave King - Two elite athletes face off on the wing, with Boone’s outside shooting set against King’s relentless rim attacks. As important as their scoring will be, it’s likely their defensive impact on each other that could decide the game.
Stats that Might Matter:
| Stat | Sharks | Whai |
| Scoring Offense | 90.06 (5th) | 80.33 (last) |
| Scoring Defense | 90.94 (7th) | 82.94 (1st) |
| Effective Field Goal % | 55% (1st) | 47% (last) |
| Field Goal % Defense | 44% (2nd) | 44% (5th) |
| Free Throw Rate | 27% (7th) | 27% (8th) |
| Free Throw % | 74% (3rd) | 69% (9th) |
| Three Point Rate | 33% (2nd) | 42% (5th) |
| Three Point % | 36% (1st) | 29% (last) |
| Turnover Rate | 15% (10th) | 12% (3rd) |
| Assist Rate | 66% (1st) | 57% (6th) |
| Offensive Rebound Rate | 28% (5th) | 27% (6th) |
| Defensive Rebound Rate | 71% (7th) | 70% (9th) |
| Block Rate | 10% (3rd) | 8% (7th) |
| Steal Rate | 8% (10th) | 10% (2nd) |
all advanced stats courtesy of spatialjam.com
