Game Preview: Sharks v Airs

The SBS Bank Southland Sharks return to ILT Stadium Southland on Thursday night looking to keep one of the league’s strongest runs alive, while the Taranaki Airs arrive with some renewed confidence after snapping their losing streak.

The Sharks have stacked together 10 straight wins and continue to find different ways to get the job done. Their latest result came on the road, where they answered an early deficit and again leaned on their depth, size and shot-making to close out the contest.

Taranaki also comes in off a win, with the Airs producing one of their better frontcourt performances of the season on their home court. James Moors, Taane Samuel and Xavier Green all gave the Airs important production, and that inside presence will be needed again against a Southland team built around Sam Timmins, Caleb Asberry, Keylan Boone and Brayden Inger.

The big wrinkle comes from the Sharks’ training room, with Rylan Jones listed out due to a groin injury and Max Darling also unavailable with a calf injury. Southland still has plenty of weapons, but Jones’ absence changes the shape of the backcourt and puts more responsibility on Tukaha Cooper, Asberry and the wider rotation to control the game while the absence of Darling will be felt up front.

When: Thursday 18 June, Rapid League 6.00pm, Sal’s NBL 7.00pm

Where: ILT Stadium Southland, Invercargill

Watch: Sky Sport 3 in New Zealand, ESPN+ in the United States and FIBA YouTube everywhere else

Commentary: Nathan Limm and Tom Ingham

Box Score Here

In the First Matchup

The first meeting between these sides went the way of the Sharks, with Southland defeating Taranaki 82-74 in New Plymouth.

It was a sleepy start, with the game sitting at just 7-6 after five minutes. Early turnovers and strong defence setting the tone, while the Airs’ newly arrived players showing promising signs. Moors made an immediate impact on the glass, finishing with 9 points, 13 rebounds and 4 assists before fouling out in 28 minutes, while Brandon Stroud added 21 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals.

For the Sharks, Jones and Timmins eventually took control. Jones was everywhere, finishing with 25 points, 12 rebounds, 5 steals and 4 assists while knocking down five threes. Timmins added 24 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 blocks as Southland found its rhythm after a sluggish start.

Once the Sharks pulled away, they were able to lead comfortably through much of the second half. Their defence, second-chance scoring and fundamentals carried them home, ending Taranaki’s unbeaten home streak and extending what was then a three-game Sharks winning run.

Taranaki Airs 74: Brandon Stroud (21p, 6r, 2a, 2s), Xavier Green (14p, 6r, 2a), James Moors (9p, 13r, 4a)

SBS Bank Southland Sharks 82: Rylan Jones (25p, 12r, 5s, 4a), Sam Timmins (24p, 9r, 3a, 2b), Brayden Inger (15p, 7r, 3s)

Last Time Out

The Airs defeated The Northern Group Tauranga Whai 85-73.

It started as a low-scoring affair, with only eight total points scored through the opening four minutes. Both teams took time to settle, but Taranaki established the early edge behind Moors, whose strength and touch around the rim gave the Airs a reliable scoring base.

The Whai responded through Reuben Te Rangi and briefly took the lead entering the third quarter, but Taranaki answered with a decisive run. The Airs’ frontcourt strength became the key factor as Moors and Samuel controlled the paint, while Green added important scoring and rebounding on the wing.

The offence of Te Rangi and Taine Murray kept Tauranga in the contest, but the Whai could not generate enough stops or interior resistance to pull the game back as the Airs secured a double figure win to sneak back into finals contention.

Taranaki Airs 85: James Moors (22p, 12r, 3a), Taane Samuel (20p, 3r, 6a), Xavier Green (14p, 9r, 2a)

The Northern Group Tauranga Whai 73: Reuben Te Rangi (20p, 8r, 4a), Taine Murray (15p, 5r, 3s), Jordan Ngatai (14p, 2r, 2s)

The Sharks defeated the NBS Nelson Giants 95-85 on the road to secure their 10th straight and 11th of the season.

Nelson started well, with Kruz Perrott-Hunt’s shooting and Liam Judd’s attacking play helping the Giants to a 25-21 lead at quarter time. But Southland responded and eventually built the margin out to 13.

The Giants kept fighting through Samuel Dempster and Shane Gatling, but the Sharks had answers throughout the second half. Jones helped steer the result, while Timmins again gave Southland a strong all-round presence and Inger delivered a major scoring night.

NBS Nelson Giants 85: Tohi Smith-Milner (17p, 7r, 3a), Shane Gatling (16p, 2a), Kruz Perrott-Hunt (15p, 8r, 5a)

SBS Bank Southland Sharks 95: Brayden Inger (25p, 7r, 1a), Sam Timmins (17p, 6r, 4a), Keylan Boone (15p, 11r)

What to Expect

Projected Starters

SBS Bank Southland Sharks

G: Tukaha Cooper

G: Caleb Asberry

F: Keylan Boone

F: Brayden Inger

C: Sam Timmins

Taranaki Airs

G: Aaron Cook Jr

G: Xavier Green

F: Brandon Stroud

F: Taane Samuel

C: James Moors

Southland has been one of the league’s most complete teams, but there will be a slightly different version of the Sharks on the court tonight.

Jones' unavailability is significant. He is averaging 16.2 points, 6.1 rebounds, 6.8 assists and 2.5 steals, and his control, pace and defensive pressure have been a major part of Southland’s winning run. Without him, the Sharks will need Asberry to sacrifice some scoring to handle more of the organising role, while Cooper, Inger, Cameron, Boone and Timmins carry more of the creation and scoring burden.

Even without two talented players available the Sharks still have plenty of talent to call upon. Asberry is averaging 21.2 points while shooting 58 percent from the field and 48 percent from three. Timmins remains one of the league’s best interior weapons while Inger has lifted his play in his starting role, offering efficient wing scoring, Boone adds size, rebounding and defensive versatility even as he looks to lift his efficiency from deep and the group on the inside will look to lift as a collective with Darling's absence.

Taranaki’s biggest challenge is sustaining its best effort for a full 40 minutes. The Airs are coming off a strong win, and the frontcourt combination of Moors, Samuel, Green, Stroud and Marcel Jones gives them more size and balance than they had earlier in the season. But they are still dead last in scoring, rebounding margin and three-point percentage, which means they cannot afford empty stretches against a Sharks team that can light up the scoreboard quickly.

Cook Jr can be the key to Taranaki’s offensive engine and his ability to pressure the ball and organise the offence will be vital. If he can get Moors touches, create clean looks for Green and Stroud, and keep the Airs out of turnover trouble, Taranaki can make this a fight.

The Airs will want to test Southland’s altered backcourt, slow the game down and make the Sharks defend through the paint. The Sharks will want to keep their spacing, lean into Timmins and Asberry, and prove their depth can absorb Jones’ absence.

Matchup to Watch: James Moors v Sam Timmins

Moors has been a major boon for Taranaki. He is averaging 16.8 points and 11.0 rebounds, and his ability to score around the rim, rebound through contact and create extra possessions has lifted the Airs’ frontcourt. Last time out he delivered 22 points, 12 rebounds and 3 assists, giving Taranaki the kind of inside presence it needed.

Timmins is one of the few players in the league who can match that size and physicality. He is averaging 19.3 points, 10.3 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 1.8 blocks, and his ability to score, pass and protect the rim gives Southland a consistent platform. Even with Jones out, Timmins gives the Sharks a reliable way to control the game through the middle.

The first meeting between these two was a reminder of how important this matchup is. Moors had 13 rebounds but fouled out, while Timmins finished with 24 points, 9 rebounds and 2 blocks. If Moors can stay on the floor and avoid foul trouble, Taranaki has a much better chance of making Southland work inside.

For the Airs, Moors needs to win possessions on the glass and make Timmins defend without help. For the Sharks, Timmins needs to control the paint, punish single coverage and use his passing to find cutters and shooters.

If Moors keeps the battle even, Taranaki can give itself a real chance. If Timmins controls the middle, Southland’s depth and shooting become much harder to manage.

Matchup to Watch: Aaron Cook Jr v Caleb Asberry

Cook Jr is the player most likely to test Southland’s altered backcourt. He is averaging 13.9 points, 6.9 assists and 2.5 steals, and his ability to pressure the ball, organise Taranaki’s offence and turn defensive stops into transition chances will be vital. If he can speed the game up and force Southland into uncomfortable possessions, the Airs can take advantage of Jones’ absence.

Asberry will likely carry more of the offensive creation for the Sharks. He is averaging 21.2 points while shooting 58 percent from the field and 48 percent from three, making him one of the league’s most efficient high volume scorers. Without Jones’ playmaking and tempo control, Southland will need Asberry to not only score, but also help steady possessions and create quality looks for others if the game tightens.

Cook Jr needs to lift the pressure in this matchup. He has to attack Asberry defensively, get into the lane consistently while keeping Moors, Green, Stroud and Samuel involved. His decision-making will be just as important as his scoring.

Asberry needs to punish any loose coverage, especially in transition. If he gets clean looks from deep or finds space on the break the Sharks will be able to make up for Jones’ absence.

If Cook Jr controls the tempo, Taranaki can make this a possession battle. If Asberry controls the scoring rhythm, Southland’s offence still has enough firepower to keep the winning run moving.

Matchup to Watch: Tukaha Cooper and Tobias Cameron v Xavier Green

Cooper moves back in the starting group and will have a bigger role as Southland enters without their import point guard. He does not need to replicate Jones’ production, but he does need to be steady, make clean reads and get the Sharks into their offence while staying aggressive while looking for his own shot. His ability to handle Cook Jr’s pressure and still find Timmins, Asberry, Inger and Boone in rhythm will be a major part of the game.

Cameron gives Southland another option off the bench who can help carry scoring and creation load with elite defense on the wing. Since joining the Sharks, he has already proven he can make an impact quickly, and his ability to attack, shoot and defend multiple spots gives Southland flexibility as long as Jones is out.

Green gives Taranaki their counter on the wing. He is averaging 15.6 points and 5.5 rebounds, and his ability to score, rebound and attack gaps makes him one of the Airs’ most important two-way pieces. Against Tauranga, he just missed a double-double with 14 points and 9 rebounds, giving Taranaki the kind of support it needs around Moors and Cook Jr.

For Southland, Cooper and Cameron need to combine for control, ball movement and enough scoring to keep the Sharks balanced. For Taranaki, Green needs to make them work defensively and use his size and activity to punish any smaller matchups.

If Cooper and Cameron can absorb the extra responsibility, Southland’s depth remains a major advantage. If Green wins this battle with scoring and rebounding, Taranaki gets another clear pathway into the game.

Individual Leaders

Category	SBS Bank Southland Sharks	Taranaki Airs
Leading scorer	Asberry 21.2 / Timmins 19.3	Moors 16.8 / Green 15.6
Leading rebounder	Sam Timmins 10.3	James Moors 11.0
Leading assists	Jones 6.8 /      Timmins/Asberry 4.3	Aaron Cook Jr 6.9
Best FG%	Timmins 59% / Asberry 58%	Quintin Bailey 56%
Best 3PT FG%	Webster 53% / Asberry 48%	Tuuta 41% / Cook Jr 39%
Blocks	Sam Timmins 1.8	James Moors 1.0
Steals	Jones 2.5 / Boone 1.6	Cook Jr 2.5 / Stroud 2.5
Minutes	Sam Timmins 33.9	Aaron Cook Jr 34.7

Stats that Matter

Stat	SBS Bank Southland Sharks	Taranaki Airs
Points Per Game	95.5 ppg (4th)	81.8 ppg (11th)
Points Allowed Per Game	87.4 ppg (4th)	91.0 ppg (8th)
Scoring Margin	+8.1 (4th)	-9.2 (11th)
Field Goal %	49% (3rd)	43% (10th)
Field Goal % Defence	44% (3rd)	48% (9th)
Free Throw %	70% (7th)	63% (11th)
3-Point %	37% (1st)	28% (11th)
3-Point % Defence	32% (5th)	33% (6th)
3-Point FG Made	12.4 (1st)	7.4 (11th)
Rebounds Per Game	40.5 (6th)	36.9 (11th)
Rebounding Margin	-0.7 (6th)	-7.5 (11th)
Asists Per Game	21.1, (4th)	18.3, (9th)
Steals Per Game	8.5, (4th)	8.6, (3rd)
Blocks Per Game	3.4, (4th)	2.3, (8th)
Turnover Margin	+1.1 (5th)	+2.3, (1st)
Assist/Turnover Ratio	1.6, (5th)	1.5, (8th)

Last Word

This is an intriguing test for both teams.

Southland has been rolling, but losing Jones for this matchup changes the equation. The Sharks still have the league’s best three-point shooting team, one of the league’s best interior players in Timmins, and a proven scorer in Asberry, but they will need to replace Jones’ control, pressure and playmaking by committee.

Taranaki comes in with momentum after a much-needed win over Tauranga. Moors, Samuel and Green gave the Airs a strong frontcourt platform, and Cook Jr remains capable of turning defensive pressure into quick offence. The question is whether the Airs can sustain that level on the road against a Sharks team that has punished mistakes all season.

Taranaki needs to win enough of the interior battle, protect the ball and make Southland play without rhythm to lessen their efficiency. The Sharks need to stay composed, have Timmins to control the paint and Asberry to lead the scoring response without Jones in the lineup.

If the Airs can make the game physical and force the Sharks into uncomfortable possessions, they can push this deep. If Southland’s depth holds and its shooting travels at home, the winning streak will be difficult to stop.