The Northern Group Tauranga Whai (5-2, 3rd) v Southland Sharks (2-5, 10th)
Two teams with mirror image records meet as the Whai, who look to keep pace with the top of the table after their fast start, welcome the Sharks who still have an injury cloud hanging over their star big. Will the Sharks be able to shoot their way to victory or will the Whai grind out a 6th win with tough defense and timely offense?
When: Thursday 16th April, Rapid League 6pm, Sal's NBL 7pm
Where: Mercury Baypark Arena, Mount Maunganui
Watch: Live in New Zealand on Sky Sport 3 | USA: ESPN3 | International: FIBA YouTube
Box score here
Last Time Out:
Tauranga took on a desperate Nelson Giants squad that had added Alex Robinson as it looked to find it's first win of the season. And the visitors jumped to an early lead as Carter Hopoi(19pts, 7rbs) got involved early and often. The Giants responded, as Callum Dalton (22pts, 8rbs) asserted himself on both sides of the half to help build a 10 point lead with 8 minutes to go in the 3rd. Sean Bairstow(15pts, 5rbs, 5ast) and the Whai would respond, and when Kruz Perrot-Hunt's (14pts, 5ast) three went in with 5:21 remaining, Tauranga took a lead it wouldn't relinquish despite a spirited Giants chase, going on to win 85-81 as their 5th win puts them one win off the top of the ladder pace.
The Sharks hosted the Saints but would need to dig deep after Josiah Allick was a late scratch. The home team kept it close early, but halfway through the first quarter the Saints stabilised as Nick Muszynski (19pts, 12rbs) dominated the interior against the undersized Southland interior. Shea Ili (13pts, 10ast) would join Wellington's lineup for the first time this year lifting the offense to new heights with his double double. The Saints would find a different gear from the second gear on before cruising to a 93-72 winner despite the efforts of Keylan Boone (20pts, 12rbs) and Tukaha Cooper (19pts, 5rbs).
What to Look For:
While both squads will look for transition when its there these teams play two of the slowest paces in the league so look for a bulk of half court opportunities and while they are both low scoring the big outlier is the Sharks inability to slow down opposing offenses (121 Drtg, 11th). They may look to zone to both band aid over their man to man deficiencies and force triples against a Whai squad that is 11th in three point percentage. The Whai's defensive abilities will be difficult for the Sharks to overcome, and their prowess from deep may be hampered by the Whai squads skill in forcing opponents off the three point line (32% 3point rate, lowest).
Offensively the Whai depend on Kruz Perrott-Hunt (16.4ppg, 3.6rpg, 2.3apg) early, using his skill as a creator to penetrate defenses early in games, and on Chris Jones (18ppg, 5.9rpg, 2.28stls) late, as the tough guard is tasked with creating offense late in games, where his 41% free throw rate comes in handy. Upfront Talib Zanna (8.8ppg, 6.8rpg) provides the thunder with his strength while Carter Hopoi (13.4ppg, 4.9rpg, 1blk) provides the lighting with his above the rim vertical play. Sean Bairstow (11.7ppg, 7.4rpg, 1.57stls) has been influencing the game to a greater degree of late and has great size at the wing which he uses to stymie opponents offensive flow. They've only topped 86 points twice this season but have shown the ability to keep the offense ticking late in games.
The Sharks will be a threat if Josiah Allick (21.7ppg, 9.7rpg) is available, as his presence down low gives them a post threat off the catch and some cheap buckets off the glass, both of which are crucial to the Sharks offense getting started. Keylan Boone (20.1ppg, 7.7rpg, 44% 3pfg) has proven their most potent wing threat while Alonzo Burton (12.1ppg, 46% 3pfg) is a knock down shooter that must be accounted for in the half court. Caleb Asberry (13.7ppg, 7.7apg) has struggled from deep but offers penetration ability that the Sharks don't have in abundance. They've only scored under 83 points in a game 1 time this season but have given up more than 88 in every loss, including 2 games over 120 given up.
Matchup to Watch: Chris Jones v Caleb Asberry - As Jones goes so go the Whai, his influence is of import on both sides of the ball but Asberry has the physical tools to make things tough for his opponent and if he can pair that with an efficient night from the floor the Sharks will be swimming towards an upset.
Stats that Might Matter:
| Stat | Whai | Sharks |
| Scoring Offense | 83.29ppg (10th) | 87.14ppg (8th) |
| Scoring Defense | 76.14ppg (1st) | 96.29ppg (11th) |
| Effective Field Goal % | 46% (10th) | 55% (3rd) |
| Field Goal % Defense | 42% (2nd) | 48% (9th) |
| Free Throw Rate | 29% (4th) | 20% (last) |
| Free Throw % | 75% (3rd) | 75% (2nd) |
| Three Point Rate | 44% (3rd) | 47% (1st) |
| Three Point % | 30% (11th) | 36% (3rd) |
| Turnover Rate | 12% (4th) | 16% (11th) |
| Assist Rate | 54% (4th) | 63% (2nd) |
| Offensive Rebound Rate | 29% (4th) | 23% (10th) |
| Defensive Rebound Rate | 71% (10th) | 72% (9th) |
| Block Rate | 6% (9th) | 8% (6th) |
| Steal Rate | 13% (1st) | 10% (5th) |
league ranking in parenthesis
all advanced stats courtesy of spatialjam.com
