Game Preview: Tuatara vs Sharks

Game Preview: Jadcup Auckland Tuatara (1-0) v SBS Southland Sharks (1-1)

Saturday night basketball heads to Eventfinda Stadium as the Jadcup Auckland Tuatara return home looking to build on a strong opening win, while the SBS Southland Sharks arrive with momentum after bouncing back in impressive fashion on the other side of town a few days ago.

The Tuatara opened their season with a rollicking 115-95 win over Franklin, showing the kind of balance and firepower that makes them dangerous when they can get rolling. Southland, meanwhile, sits at 1-1 after responding to a rough opening loss with a gutsy 94-86 road win over that same Bulls squad, but they lineup has a chance to look a bit different with a late arrival. Two teams with powerful front courts who are also experiencing impacts on the perimeter will meet. Will the Tuatara stay undefeated or will the Sharks take an 09 double header to tip their season off in style.

When: Saturday 18 April, Rapid League 6.30pm, Sal’s NBL 7.30pm

Where: Eventfinda Stadium, Auckland

Watch: Live on Sky Sport 3

Commentary: Glen Larmer & Casey Frank

Box Score Here

Last Time Out:

The Tuatara made a strong statement in their opener against Franklin. Auckland burst out to a 13-0 start and, even when the Bulls fought their way back into the contest, always looked to have another answer. Rob Loe (24p, 7r, 5a) led from the front but his devastating partnership with Chris Johnson (15p, 15r, 5a, 2b) picked up without missing a beat after a four year hiatus. Dylan Wilkie (18p, 6-7fgs, 5 3pfg) gave the Tuatara a huge lift, which was key after key swingman Sean Bairstow left the game after a scary fall. Josh Dilling (12p, 3r, 7a) kept the scoreboard ticking while Tommy Vodanovich (13p, 2r, 2a) looked to be enjoying his new role off the bench. It was a complete offensive performance, with seven Tuatara players reaching double figures in a collective effort that wore the Bulls down late as they finished the game on a 23-5 run to take the 115-95 win.

Southland’s comes across the bridge after a gritty 94-86 win in Franklin, driven by a huge performance from Sam Timmins (26p, 19r, 10a, 5b). After struggling to find enough secondary scoring in the loss to Otago, the Sharks found better balance this time around. Timmins was the star of the show with his dominant triple double while Rylan Jones (15p, 10r) and Mac Stodart(13p, 8r, 3a) chipped in with timely buckets. Quake Webster (12p, 3-6 3pfg) was immense with his shooting in the second half off the bench as Southland took control with a 31-point third quarter and showed just how dangerous it can be when Timmins gets support around him.

What to Expect:

Projected Starters

Auckland Tuatara

PG: Josh Dilling

SG: Dylan Wilkie

SF: KC Ioane

PF: Rob Loe

C: Chris Johnson

Southland Sharks

PG: Rylan Jones

SG: Tukaha Cooper

SF: Caleb Asberry* (Q)

PF: Will Leger

C: Sam Timmins

*Asberry is listed as questionable due to personal travel. If he does not suit up, Southland’s rotation and wing balance changes significantly.

The Tuatara’s opening-night group looked every bit the part of a championship contender. Loe remains one of the league’s most skilled and reliable bigs, Johnson gives Auckland another elite frontcourt presence, and import Dilling looked comfortable enough as a scorer and facilitator in his debut without ever really finding a rhythm. Wilkie’s shooting gives the group extra spacing, while KC Ioane adds athleticism and versatility off the bench. The bench looks like a strength, as Auckland showed strong depth in its opener, with Tom Vodanovich and Zach Riley both making valuable contributions and NCAA commit Jackson Kiss late addition adding another dimension, even in the absence of Aussie Bairstow.

For Southland, everything starts with Timmins. He has been extraordinary through two games, averaging 28.0 points, 15.0 rebounds, 7.5 assists and 3.5 blocks per game, and is making a strong, if early, MVP case. Jones has also given the Sharks production and is a sharpshooter when given space, but if Asberry is available every thing should get a bit easier for an offensive that could use an explosive lead ball handler. if Asberry is a late scratch then Cooper, Stodart and Quake Webster all become more important pieces to the equation.

Auckland will want flow, spacing and ball movement, letting its frontcourt make reads and its shooters stretch the floor. Southland may prefer a more physical contest built around Timmins controlling the paint and the Sharks fighting for second-chance opportunities. If the Tuatara can force Southland to defend in space and rotate for long possessions, they will like their chances. If the Sharks can turn it into a rebounding battle and ride Timmins deep into the fourth, they are more than capable of taking a key early season double-header on the road.

Matchup to Watch: Rob Loe and Chris Johnson v Sam Timmins

This is the headline battle.

Loe and Johnson are two of the most dominant big men the league has seen in recent years, and together they give Auckland a frontcourt with size, skill, passing and interior presence. Both Johnson and Loe can score inside and out, control the glass and protect the rim, and both are capable of punishing teams from multiple levels offensively. On the other side is Timmins, coming off what was arguably the best game of his career. His 26-point, 19-rebound, 10-assist, 5-block masterpiece against Franklin was a reminder that he can completely take over a game at both ends, even without a full supporting cast. One area that must improve is the charity stripe, where they are shooting a dismal, and league worst, 49%.

It is not just a clash of talent, but a clash of style. Auckland’s bigs bring polish and versatility with range that expands the court. Timmins brings force, volume and a willingness to impose himself on every possession on the low post forcing defenses to crash down while freeing space on the perimeter. If Loe and Johnson dominate the matchup together, the Tuatara’s balance becomes difficult to stop. If Timmins is able to dominate the paint and drag the game onto his terms, Southland gives itself a serious chance.

Stats that Matter

Stat	Tuatara	Sharks
Points Per Game	115.0 (2nd)	81.0 (10th)
Points Allowed Per Game	95.0 (7th)	90.5 (5th)
Scoring Margin	+20.0 (2nd)	-9.5 (9th)
Free Throw %	68% (2nd)	49% (10th)
3-Point %	39% (2nd)	25% (11th)
3-Point % Defense	36% (10th)	31% (5th)
Offensive Rebound %	23% (8th)	31% (4th)
Defensive Rebound %	80% (4th)	72% (8th)
Assists Per Game	29.0 (1st)	19.0 (8th)
Steals Per Game	6.0 (7th)	5.5 (9th)
Blocks Per Game	4.0 (1st)	4.0 (1st)
Assist/Turnover Ratio	2.90 (1st)	1.19 (9th)

Individual Leaders

Category	Tuatara	Sharks
Leading scorer	Rob Loe — 24.0	Sam Timmins — 28.0
Leading rebounder	Chris Johnson — 16.0	Sam Timmins — 15.0
Leading assists	Josh Dilling — 7.0	Sam Timmins — 7.5
Best FG%	Dylan Wilkie — 86%	Sam Timmins — 76%
Best 3PT%	Dylan Wilkie — 83%	Will Leger — 100%
Blocks	Chris Johnson — 2.0	Sam Timmins — 3.5
Steals	Zach Riley — 2.0	Rylan Jones — 2.0
Minutes	Josh Dilling — 34:41	Sam Timmins — 36:08

If Southland gets Asberry back, the Sharks have another genuine perimeter option and suddenly look much more balanced. If not, the burden again falls heavily on Timmins and Jones to create enough offense against a Tuatara side that already looked deep, connected and dangerous in Round 1.