Game Preview: Sharks v Tuatara

Game Preview: SBS Bank Southland Sharks (5-2) v Jadcup Auckland Tuatara (5-1)

The SBS Bank Southland Sharks return to ILT Stadium Southland on Thursday night riding one of the strongest in form lineups in the league, but the test waiting at the Shark Tank is a major one.

The Jadcup Auckland Tuatara arrive at 5-1 and sitting on top of the ladder, with a roster built around size, composure and late-game execution. They have already beaten and underdone Southland once this season but a closer to full strength squad will be a different test.

The Sharks, meanwhile, have won four straight since going down to the Tuatara in the Sanctuary and, even thought they have players to come, are starting to look like one of the most complete teams in the competition. Their offence has become more balanced, their defence has tightened, and the combination of perimeter skill and and interior power has given them multiple ways to win.

When: Thursday 14 May, Rapid League 6.00pm, Sal’s NBL 7.00pm

Where: ILT Stadium Southland, Invercargill

Watch: Live on Sky Sport 2 in New Zealand, ESPN+ in the United States and FIBA YouTube everywhere else

Commentary: Glen Larmer and Kayla Manuirirangi

Box Score Here

Last Time Out

The Tuatara survived a Mother’s Day thriller at Eventfinda Stadium, defeating the NBS Nelson Giants 99-97. Nelson came out with purpose, with Sam Dempster catching fire early from beyond the arc and helping the visitors land the first punches.

The Dino's worked their way back into the contest with a 31-point second quarter, aided by Giant foul trouble and their own ability to keep attacking. The game was tied at the end of the third, before both sides traded big shots down the stretch. Auckland looked to have created enough breathing room late, when they went up 10, 92-82 with 1:36 left, but Liam Judd, Alex McNaught and Dempster kept dragging Nelson back into the game.

With the Giants out of timeouts and chasing one final look, Josh Dilling split a pair at the line and Tuatara held their nerve to seal the victory.

Jadcup Auckland Tuatara: Josh Dilling (26p, 7r, 4a), Zach Riley (21p, 8r, 3a), Rob Loe (18p, 7r, 9a)

NBS Nelson Giants: Kruz Perrott-Hunt (26p, 3a), Sam Dempster (22p, 5a, 2s, 6 3PM), Alex McNaught (16p, 6r, 11a, 3s)

The Sharks were dominant in their 102-78 road win over the Property Brokers Manawatū Jets, putting together one of their most complete performances of the season. Southland took control early, holding Manawatū to just nine points in the opening quarter before building a 47-26 halftime lead.

The Jets found a higher gear on offence in the second half, but Southland’s 36-point third quarter put the game well out of reach. Rylan Jones nearly produced a triple-double, Caleb Asberry continued to control the tempo, and Brayden Inger gave the Sharks another strong two-way showing. The Sharks’ pressure, ball movement and depth made the difference, with the visitors looking connected at both ends.

Property Brokers Manawatū Jets: Kaden Sand (27p, 11r, 4a, 2s), Jamal Poplar Jr. (26p, 18r), Kazlo Evans Jr. (11p, 6r, 2a)

SBS Bank Southland Sharks: Rylan Jones (17p, 10r, 9a, 4s), Caleb Asberry (20p, 5r, 8a), Brayden Inger (19p, 8r, 6a, 2s)

What to Expect

Projected Starters

SBS Bank Southland Sharks

PG: Rylan Jones

SG: Tukaha Cooper

SG: Caleb Asberry

F: Brayden Inger

C: Sam Timmins

Jadcup Auckland Tuatara

PG: Josh Dilling

SG: Zach Riley

SF: KC Ioane

F: Rob Loe

C: Chris Johnson

The Sharks will keep rolling with the same starting lineup from, with Timmins anchoring the middle, Jones controlling the game from the point, Asberry adding scoring and creation, Cooper bringing defensive pressure, and Inger giving them size and shooting on the wing. Boone continues to come off the pine, giving Southland an elite high-impact scoring option off the bench. Max Darling is still mending from a calf injury and Tobias Cameron has delayed his Sal's NBL debut as he plays in the SLB playoff final in London.

For the Tuatara Loe and Johnson give Auckland size, passing and interior control, while Riley and Dilling provide the shot creation and late-clock composure. KC Ioane rounds out the starting five, with Tom Vodanovich, Dylan Wilkie, Josh Wyllie and others giving Auckland a strong second wave. Sean Bairstow remains out with an arm injury, and while Isaac Davidson is expected to return shortly they are still without his services for the time being.

This game feels more like a midseason test of which team can impose its strengths for longer. Southland has been at its best when Timmins touches the ball early, Jones pushes the tempo off rebounds, Asberry gets downhill and Inger and Boone space the floor. The Sharks have started turning good defensive possessions into connected offence, and their current winning streak has been built on contributions coming from all across the roster.

The Tuatara have size without being slow, passing without being predictable, and the perimeter shooting to punish over helping. Loe’s ability to facilitate from the frontcourt creates problems, Johnson’s presence changes the equation around the rim on both ends of the court, and Riley has become a reliable scorer, even in the pressure filled moments. The previous meeting went Auckland’s way, but Southland looks like a different side now than it did earlier in the season.

Matchup to Watch: Caleb Asberry v Zach Riley

Asberry has once again become a central piece in Southland’s rise, giving the Sharks a guard who can score, pass and control long stretches of offence. He is coming off 20 points, 5 rebounds and 8 assists against the Jets, and when he is getting downhill, Southland’s offence becomes much harder to load up against. He is also shooting the ball well enough from deep to keep defenders attached, which opens more room for Timmins and Jones to operate.

Riley has been Tuatara’s most consistent scorer, bringing a mix of shot-making, rebounding and calm in late-game situations. His 21 points and 8 rebounds against Nelson were crucial, and his ability to find points without needing the offence to stop around him makes Auckland difficult to guard. But it will be his defensive efforts on Asberry that may have the largest impact, and if he can pester his opponent into a subpar performance the Tuatara will be the better for it.

If Asberry wins the downhill battle and creates rotations, Southland’s shooters and bigs will benefit. If Riley keeps scoring efficiently and punishes switches, the Tuatara can keep the Sharks chasing.

Matchup to Watch: Sam Timmins, Keylan Boone and Brayden Inger v Chris Johnson and Rob Loe

Timmins has been Southland’s anchor all season, giving the Sharks scoring, rebounding, passing and rim protection. He does not just finish plays, he helps initiate them, and his ability to draw defensive attention opens up a lot of what Southland wants to do. Boone adds another scoring punch, especially as a bench weapon, while Inger’s shooting and activity give the Sharks a flexible forward who can stretch the floor or crash the glass.

For Tuatara, Johnson Vodanovich and Loe provide a major physical and tactical test. Johnson protects the rim, rebounds and gives Auckland a true interior presence, while Loe’s passing and decision-making make him one of the hardest bigs in the league to scheme against and Tommy V has been the perfect super sub when either goes to the bench. In the win over Nelson, Loe (18 points, 7 rebounds and 9 assists) showed how much he can shape a game without needing to dominate the shot count while Vodanovich (17 points, 6 boards) stepped up when Chris Johnson got in early foul trouble.

If Timmins can establish deep position and Boone or Inger can stretch the defence around him, the Sharks will get the kind of inside-out looks they want. If Loe, Vodanovich and Johnson control the glass, keep the ball moving and limit Southland’s second chances, Tuatara’s structure becomes very hard to break.

Matchup to Watch: Rylan Jones v Josh Dilling

Jones was everywhere against the Jets, finishing one assist short of a triple-double while adding four steals. His ability to rebound from the guard spot, push tempo and create for others has become a key part of Southland’s identity. When he is dictating pace, the Sharks look far more dangerous in the open floor.

Dilling has been just as important for Tuatara. He is a steady organiser, a confident scorer and one of the best assist-to-turnover guards in the competition. His 26-point performance against Nelson showed he can take on more of the scoring load when required, but his biggest value remains the way he keeps Auckland composed.

If Jones turns defence into pace, Southland can get the Shark Tank rolling. If Dilling slows the game, gets Tuatara into its actions and limits mistakes, Auckland will feel comfortable in another tight road contest.

Individual Leaders

Category	SBS Bank Southland Sharks	Jadcup Auckland Tuatara
Leading scorer	Sam Timmins 20.0	Zach Riley 21.0
Leading rebounder	Sam Timmins 11.4	Rob Loe 8.2
Leading assists	Rylan Jones 6.1	Josh Dilling 6.5
Best FG%	Sam Timmins 62%	Tom Vodanovich 57%
Best 3PT FG%	Quake Webster 53%	Dylan Wilkie 41%
Blocks	Sam Timmins 2.3	Chris Johnson 1.5
Steals	Rylan Jones 2.4	Zach Riley 1.7
Minutes	Sam Timmins 33.3	Josh Dilling 35.8

Stats that Matter (League Rank)

Stat	SBS Bank Southland Sharks	Jadcup Auckland Tuatara
Points Per Game	91.7 (6th)	96.7 (3rd)
Points Allowed Per Game	86.9 (2nd)	87.5 (4th)
Scoring Margin	+4.9 (4th)	+9.2 (3rd)
Field Goal %	47% (4th)	47% (5th)
Field Goal % Defence	43% (2nd)	42% (1st)
Free Throw %	66% (8th)	73% (3rd)
3-Point %	34% (4th)	33% (6th)
3-Point % Defence	33% (7th)	32% (5th)
3-Point FG Made	11.4 (3rd)	10.5 (6th)
Rebounds Per Game	42.7 (5th)	44.7 (2nd)
Rebounding Margin	+1.0 (6th)	+3.0 (2nd)
Assists Per Game	22.0 (4th)	23.7 (2nd)
Steals Per Game	8.3 (5th)	7.0 (9th)
Blocks Per Game	3.7 (4th)	4.0 (2nd)
Assist/Turnover Ratio	1.5 (7th)	1.9 (3rd)

This matchup carries real top of the table weight. Tuatara sit first on the ladder and have been one of the league’s most reliable teams late in games, while Southland has surged into third on the back of four straight wins.

For the Sharks, this is a chance to show that their current run stacks up against the league’s best. If Timmins controls the paint, Jones and Asberry win the tempo battle, and Inger or Boone gives them another scoring lift, Southland has a strong chance to protect the Shark Tank and send a statement that the top of the table belongs to the deep south.

For Tuatara, the formula is composure. They have the size to challenge Timmins, the guards to handle pressure and the late-game scorers to win close. If Dilling, Riley, Loe and Johnson keep the game on Auckland’s terms, Tuatara can strengthen their grip on the top of the ladder and put themselves on a top two trajectory.