Jadcup Auckland Tuatara (5-6, 7th) v Mills Albert Wellington Saints (9-4, 2nd)
Two teams coming off close losses will clash at Eventfinda Stadium, with the Tuatara looking to settle into their new lineup and climb back into the top six, while the Saints aim to reassert themselves near the top of the ladder. Auckland will be hoping its revamped offense can click, but Wellington’s defense has been one of the most disruptive in the league all season.
When: Sunday 25th May, Rapid League 2pm, Sal's NBL 3pm
Where: Eventfinda Stadium, Auckland
Watch: Live in New Zealand on Sky Sport 3 | USA: ESPN3 | International: FIBA YouTube |
Last Time Out:
The Tuatara returned to Christchurch looking to avenge two painful losses—a 53-point defeat before the break and consecutive Grand Final heartbreaks. Still without Luther Muhammad and adjusting to life after Davo Hickey, Auckland weathered an early Rams run and fought back multiple times. Buay Tuach (24pts, 12rbs) was crucial in the third, trimming a 12-point margin to just three heading into the final quarter. Charles Pride (31pts, 11rbs) gave the Tuatara a late lead with under a minute to play, but a Sean MacDonald (27pts) triple and some late whistles sealed a 96–92 win for the Rams, leaving Auckland just outside the top six.
The Saints travelled to Tauranga to face a Whai team riding a five-game skid, but a late scratch for Shea Ili (concussion symptoms) disrupted their game plan. With Ili out, the Saints struggled for rhythm, though Nick Muszynski (22pts, 18rbs, 5blks) held strong inside. Mojave King (29pts, 6rbs, 3ast) caught fire in the second quarter to give the Whai the lead, and they stretched it to 15 in the third. Izayah Le’afa (17pts, 11ast, 5 made 3pfg) led a fourth-quarter rally, but the Saints fell just short, 82–78.
What to Expect:
The Tuatara are expected to debut Luther Muhammad, hoping his arrival lifts their half-court execution to new heights. Rob Loe remains a focal point, though his production has dipped from MVP levels. Tom Vodanovich has also yet to hit top form-but if both click, Auckland becomes a far more dangerous unit. Charles Pride brings strength and shot-making from deep, while Buay Tuach excels in transition-key, given the Tuatara's limited fast-break options. Offensively, they’ll be tested by the Saints’ stingy defense but have the pieces to compete when firing.
The Saints will look to bounce back from a sluggish offensive outing, a task made much easier if Shea Ili is available. Without him, they can look disjointed, but the talent is there. Le’afa has been streaky from deep but impacts the game in several ways. Muszynski will have a tough matchup with Loe, especially if pulled to the perimeter. Nick Marshall continues to provide scoring both in transition and the half court, while Jordan Ngatai is still settling into his role. Hyrum Harris is the heartbeat on both ends=his defensive activity and smart cutting keep the offense ticking.
Matchup to Watch: Tom Vodanovich v Hyrum Harris - A heavyweight clash between two physical, versatile forwards. Both defend at a high level and never back down—so the question is, whose offense tips the balance? Will Vodanovich stretch the floor, or will Harris’s movement and hustle create the edge?
Stats that Might Matter:
| Stat | Tuatara | Saints |
| Scoring Offense | 87.82 (8th) | 94.77 (4th) |
| Scoring Defense | 93.36 (8th) | 83.46 (2nd) |
| Effective Field Goal % | 52% (6th) | 55% (3rd) |
| Field Goal % Defense | 46% (8th) | 41% (1st) |
| Free Throw Rate | 32% (3rd) | 28% (6th) |
| Free Throw % | 71% (7th) | 76% (2nd) |
| Three Point Rate | 43% (4th) | 39% (7th) |
| Three Point % | 32% (7th) | 35% (3rd) |
| Turnover Rate | 14% (8th) | 12% (5th) |
| Assist Rate | 55% (7th) | 62% (2nd) |
| Offensive Rebound Rate | 23% (10th) | 23% (10th) |
| Defensive Rebound Rate | 76% (3rd) | 76% (3rd) |
| Block Rate | 6% (9th) | 12% (1st) |
| Steal Rate | 8% (10th) | 28% (6th) |
all advanced stats courtesy of spatialjam.com
