The Northern Group Tauranga Whai (2-1) v Auckland Tuatara (0-2)
The Whai bounce back from a loss with an explosive offensive performance but have yet to look like a team who looks comfortable on the offensive end. The Tuatara found improved effort and better performance in their second hit out but the question remains if they are capable of finding the winners circle without the full contingent of their roster.
When: Tuesday 25 March, Rapid League 6pm, Sal's NBL 7pm
Where: Mercury Baypark Arena, Mount Maunganui
Watch: Live on Sky Sport 3 | USA: ESPN3 | International: FIBA YouTube
Boxscore here
Last Time Out:
The Whai took their home venue on the road, bringing a Sal's NBL game to Rotorua for the first time in 11 years when they hosted the Otago Nuggets who had a full import contingent for the first time this year. The Whai were undeterred, as they methodically worked their way to a lead they would never relinquish, claiming a 97-82 win behind Chris Jones (25pts, 6rbs, 3ast, 3stls) and Kruz Perrott-Hunt (25pts, 5rbs, 4ast) with youngsters Carter Hopoi (16pts) and Xanda Marsters (16pts, 4rbs, 4ast) supported.
The Tuatara hosted the Airs and jumped out to a 5 point quarter time lead as Tom Vodanovich (22pts, 3rbs, 3ast) got hot early. Buay Tuach (27pts, 3rbs, 3ast) would get hot late but after being whistled for his fifth and final foul it became tougher for the home team to score, and they would succumb to a 102-79 defeat as Carlin Davison (25pts, 9rbs, 6ast), Harry Froling (23pts, 11rbs, 2ast) and Owen Foxwell (20pts, 10ast) starred for the victors.
What to Watch For:
The Whai have been playing solid defense, with Otago's 82 the most points surrendered on the year, but the offenses has been inconsistent (with a high of 97 and a low of 61) while being determined by the form from behind the arc (Making 13 while scoring 97 and just 5 when scoring 61). If the trey ball is going driving lanes open and life becomes a bit easier. The import duo of Sean Bairstow (6.3ppg, 6.7rb) and Talib Zanna (2ppg, 5.5rb) has yet to find their place in the offensive hierarchy but the score has ticked along with the emergence of Xanda Marsters (12.3ppg) and Carter Hopoi (15.3ppg). Rebounding and rim protection will be key and the bigs will need to stay out of foul trouble against a physical Tuatara front line.
Auckland bounced back with a much more respectable performance in their second game, but would succumb down the stretch against the Airs as the offense dried up and the Tuatara fell to 0-2 as they await Will Hickey and Rob Loe from the ANBL finals. The series is over, but the players won't arrive until at least the weekend leaving rookie Coach Cam Gliddon looking for answers in unusual places. Vodanovich and Tuach look capable of carrying the scoring load against the Whai and with Josh Leger and Nick Barrow down low, Auckland has plenty of size to enforce their will. If they can find the form from deep while staying out of foul trouble they may be able to sneak an understrength win on the road.
Small Sample Size Stats:
Tauranga - The Whai are turning the ball over at a higher rate than Coach Matt Lacey would like (14% turnover rate, 8th in league) but create at a high rate for their teammates with a 56% assist rate (5th). They've been active in the passing lanes (11% steal rate, 4th) but have no rim protection to speak of (3% block rate, last). Their 49% 3point rate is 2nd only to the Tuatara, and with 10.33 made three's per game they are always a danger to shoot their way into the lead.
Auckland - The efficiency isn't where it needs to be, with the second worst effective field goal percentage in the league (45%) especially when coupled with the second worst turnover rate in the league (18%), second lowest assist rate (49%) and lowest offensive rebounding rate (17%) They do boast the highest 3point rate (52%) in the comp and sit tied for second in made 3'ts (11per game) which makes them a threat in any game.
Matchup to Watch: Carter Hopoi v Tom Vodanovich - Hopoi has started the season with a bang, with his play highlighting his ability to play above the rim and showing off a developing but dangerous trey ball. Tommy V will have the strength advantage down low but if he finds his range from deep early he could force Hopoi out of his comfort zone in the paint.
