Mills Albert Wellington Saints (13-4, 2nd) v The Northern Group Tauranga Whai (7-9, 7th)
The Saints can all but secure a home semi-final with a win, while the Whai arrive in the capital playing for their finals lives. A loss would leave them two games back in the loss column with just three to play. Can the Saints extend their win streak to five, or will the Whai snap a two-game slide to stay in the hunt?
When: Saturday 20th June, Rapid League 6:30pm, Sal's NBL 7:30pm
Where: TSB Arena, Wellington
Watch: Live in New Zealand on Sky Sport 3 | USA: ESPN3 | International: FIBA YouTube |
Last Time Out:
The Saints and Tuatara played out a thriller in the capital, going toe-to-toe through overtime in one of the games of the season. Jordan Ngatai (30 pts) led from the front, draining clutch buckets to force OT, while Hyrum Harris (19 pts, 11 rbs) added the game-tying free throws and a dramatic buzzer-beating game-winner off a sideline play. Luther Muhammad (26 pts, 7 rbs, 7 ast) led the charge for Auckland, but a last-second turnover gave the Saints one final shot—and they took it, sealing a 107–106 win and extending their streak to four.
The Whai, meanwhile, battled in Christchurch but couldn’t stop the Rams' size and execution. Tauranga did well to limit Taylor Britt and Walter Brown, with Anzac Rissetto (13 pts) leading the scoring and Sean Murphy (10 pts, 12 rbs) strong off the bench. But Kyle Bowen (13 pts, 11 rbs, 4 ast, 2 stl), Max Darling (12 pts, 11 rbs, 2 blk), and Sean MacDonald (21 pts) proved too much. A Tohi Smith-Milner triple broke the game open in the fourth, and the Rams held on for a 77–68 win, sending the Whai out of the top six.
What to Expect:
The Saints are finding ways to win in any situation, but their only loss in the last seven games came against the Whai back in May, a 78-point showing that remains their second-lowest scoring total of the season.
Since then, the Saints haven't scored fewer than 90, and Ngatai has firmly re-established himself in the offensive hierarchy. Izayah Le'afa is expected back, but he and Nick Marshall are both listed as questionable. If either is limited, expect more of the offense to run through Hyrum Harris, with Kazlo Evans Jr also earning more minutes. Nick Muszynski continues to anchor the paint defensively, and his ability to protect the rim could be vital against a Whai side that thrives on getting downhill but struggles from deep.
The Whai will be without head coach Matt Lacey and key players Carter Hopoi and Xanda Marsters due to U-19 National Team duties. Assistant Tane Bennett steps in, with Sean Murphy joining the starting five. Roster depth and size will be tested, especially with Rissetto needing to avoid foul trouble against the Saints' physical frontline. Mojave King and Sean Bairstow must stay aggressive on the glass and contribute offensively. Despite ranking last in scoring, the Whai remain the league's top-ranked defense and will aim to frustrate the Saints into a grind. Kruz Perrott-Hunt and Jayden Bezzant have the firepower when hot, and they’ll need it here.
Matchup to Watch: Nick Muszynski v Anzac Rissetto - Two big men who are the defensive pillars of their teams. Whichever one can stay on the floor and avoid foul trouble could tip the balance in a game likely to be fought in the trenches.
Stats that Might Matter:
| Stat | Saints | Whai |
| Scoring Offense | 94.88 (2nd) | 80.06 (last) |
| Scoring Defense | 84.12 (3rd) | 81.75 (1st) |
| Effective Field Goal % | 54% (3rd) | 47% (last) |
| Field Goal % Defense | 41% (1st) | 44% (4th) |
| Free Throw Rate | 29% (6th) | 27% (8th) |
| Free Throw % | 75% (3rd) | 70% (7th) |
| Three Point Rate | 38% (8th) | 42% (5th) |
| Three Point % | 34% (3rd) | 29% (last) |
| Turnover Rate | 12% (5th) | 12% (9th) |
| Assist Rate | 59% (3rd) | 55% (9th) |
| Offensive Rebound Rate | 25% 98th) | 28% (5th) |
| Defensive Rebound Rate | 77% (1st) | 70% (last) |
| Block Rate | 12% (1st) | 8% (7th) |
| Steal Rate | 10% (6th) | 11% (2nd) |
all advanced stats courtesy of spatialjam.com
