The Northern Group Tauranga Whai (4-7, 9th) v Mills Albert Wellington Saints (9-3, 2nd)
The Whai have made big changes to their lineup as they look to halt a five-game skid and reconnect with the top six. But they’ll need to gel quickly to make up ground and mount a finals run. The Saints, meanwhile, come to town as road warriors (5–1 record away from home), looking like a well-oiled machine — and they’ve just added even more talent. Can the Whai find a way to slow the tempo and steal a win, or will the Saints continue marching toward a top-two seed and the home-court advantage that comes with it?
When: Friday 23rd May, Rapid League 6:30pm, Sal's NBL 7:30pm
Where: Mercury Baypark, Tauranga
Watch: Live in New Zealand on Sky Sport 4 | USA: ESPN3 | International: FIBA YouTube | TikTok Livestream: skysportnz
Last Time Out:
The Whai traveled to Taranaki to take on an Airs team that had recently lost Froling, but with Anzac Rissetto and Mojave King not yet available, Tauranga faced a clear talent disadvantage. The first half was slow, with just a single point separating the teams as neither topped 30 points. The pace picked up in the third, with the Airs building a 14-point lead thanks to transition highlights from Carlin Davison (17pts, 18rbs, 3ast, 4stls). But the Whai weren’t done — Kruz Perrott-Hunt (21pts, 9rbs, 3stls) scored eight straight to end the quarter, cutting the deficit to just two at 53–51. Another Perrott-Hunt bucket tied things up early in the fourth, but the Airs responded with nine unanswered points to regain control. They went on to win 75–62, with all five starters reaching double figures.
The Saints hosted a Corey Webster-less Jets squad, raising concerns among the traveling Green Machine faithful. Wellington had won six of their last seven games — and that was before adding Jordan Ngatai. A balanced attack featuring five double-figure scorers quickly created separation, with the Saints building a 20-point halftime lead. The second half was all Saints, as Shea Ili (15pts, 8rbs, 9ast) flirted with a triple-double and Wellington rolled to a 108–61 win.
What to Expect:
This will be our first look at a revamped Whai lineup, with Mojave King and Anzac Rissetto now in the fold. The added talent and size make the Whai a much more dangerous squad, but with only one restricted player, local talent must carry a heavier load than earlier in the season. Kruz Perrott-Hunt (16ppg, 4.1rpg) and Jayden Bezzant (8.8ppg, 1stl) form a potent backcourt — Perrott-Hunt often sets the tone early while Bezzant tends to finish strong. Rissetto brings much-needed physicality up front, while Sean Bairstow (12.3ppg, 6.2rpg, 4apg) and King will provide wing scoring and versatility. The Whai now have the size to compete, but they’ll need to lift their defensive rebounding — an area they’ve struggled in all season. And if that doesn’t come with more efficient shooting, it could be another long night.
The Saints have become a powerhouse through their elite mix of up-tempo offense and physical defense, boasting a scoring margin second only to the Rams. Shea Ili (17.8ppg, 5.7rpg, 6.5apg, 2stls) and Izayah Le’afa (14.5ppg, 5.7apg, 1.8stls) bring relentless pressure on the perimeter, forcing quick decisions and rushed shots. Inside, Hyrum Harris (14.4ppg, 10.8rpg, 4.8apg, 1.75stls) is a constant rotation threat, while Nick Muszynski (14.5ppg, 8.2rpg, 2.4blks) protects the rim and anchors the glass. Their dominance on the boards — particularly on the defensive end — limits opponents' second chances.
Offensively, Nick Marshall (19.3ppg, 7.8rpg, 5.7apg) leads all scorers, but the Saints’ strength lies in their balanced approach, with all five starters averaging double figures. They’re the most efficient three-point shooting team in the league but haven’t always leaned into that strength — likely by design, as their penetration-based offense is tough to guard. Jordan Ngatai adds depth and versatility, although the rotation still largely runs seven deep.
Matchup to Watch: Sean Bairstow vs Nick Marshall- Bairstow has the tools to make life difficult for Marshall, and if he can disrupt the Saints’ leading scorer, it could throw their offense off rhythm. But if Marshall gets going early — or Bairstow finds himself in foul trouble — the Saints will find the freedom they need to take control, making an upset far less likely for the home side.
Stats that Might Matter:
| Stat | Whai | Saints |
| Scoring Offense | 82.08 (last) | 96.17 (3rd) |
| Scoring Defense | 81.83 (1st) | 83.58 (2nd) |
| Effective Field Goal % | 46% (last) | 55% (3rd) |
| Field Goal % Defense | 45% (7th) | 41% (1st) |
| Free Throw Rate | 27% (7th) | 28% (6th) |
| Free Throw % | 72% (6th) | 76% (1st) |
| Three Point Rate | 43% (5th) | 39% (7th) |
| Three Point % | 30% (last) | 35% (2nd) |
| Turnover Rate | 12% (3rd) | 12% (5th) |
| Assist Rate | 54% (9th) | 62% (2nd) |
| Offensive Rebound Rate | 29% (4th) | 24% (9th) |
| Defensive Rebound Rate | 70% (last) | 77% (1st) |
| Block Rate | 6% (8th) | 12% (1st) |
| Steal Rate | 12% (2nd) | 28% (6th) |
all advanced stats courtesy of spatialjam.com
