Game Preview: Sharks v Jets

Game Preview: SBS Southland Sharks (2-2) v Property Brokers Manawatū Jets (1-4)

The SBS Southland Sharks return to ILT Stadium Southland on Sunday evening looking to build on their most complete performance of the season, while the Property Brokers Manawatū Jets arrive in Invercargill still searching for a way to turn strong individual performances into a full 40-minute result.

Southland was closer to full strength and dominant last time out against The Northern Group Tauranga Whai, putting together a 106-84 win built on hot shooting, size and balance. The Sharks have been one of the better rebounding and shot-blocking teams in the league, and the recent additions of Keylan Boone and Brayden Inger have given the side more size, athleticism and scoring depth.

Manawatū, meanwhile, pushed the unbeaten Night ’n Day Otago Nuggets right to the edge before falling 99-96. The Jets continue to get elite production from Jamal Poplar Jr. and Kaden Sand, but remain heavily impacted by injuries and availability issues. Nate Wilson, Corey Webster, Tommy Simms, Dontae Russo-Nance, Byron Mullens, Will Heather and Ihaia Abbott are all unavailable, leaving the Jets short on depth again.

The Sharks’ main group is largely available, but with a desperate Jets team coming to the Shark tank it will take a collective effort to protect their home court.

When: Sunday 3 May, Rapid League 5.00pm, Sal’s NBL 6.00pm

Where: ILT Stadium Southland, Invercargill

Watch: Live on Sky Sport 3 in NZ, ESPN+ in the United States, FIBA YouTube everywhere else

Commentary: Taylah Johnson & Lindsay Tait

Box Score Here

Last Time Out

Earlier in the round the Property Brokers Manawatū Jets were beaten 99-96 by the Night ’n Day Otago Nuggets in a game they had every chance to steal. The short-handed Jets took advantage of Otago’s early foul trouble and found themselves in control for stretches, with Kaden Sand and Jamal Poplar Jr. again carrying the offensive load as they punished their hosts in the paint.

Both Sand and Poplar Jr. finished with 25 points, but foul trouble became a major factor. The two highest-scoring Jets both eventually fouled out, which slowed Manawatū’s momentum and hurt their ability to close the game. Otago tightened up defensively in the second half, forced mistakes and did enough late to stay unbeaten.

The SBS Southland Sharks delivered a dominant 106-84 win over The Northern Group Tauranga Whai, controlling the game from the opening stages. Southland came out firing, with Caleb Asberry showing exactly why the Sharks have brought him to the deep South for the third straight season, scoring 21 points in the first half on his way to a game-high 29.

Keylan Boone made an immediate impact off the bench with 18 points in just 17 minutes, while Rylan Jones added 17 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists. Tukaha Cooper also produced a season-high 15 points as the Sharks’ depth and shot-making overwhelmed Tauranga.

For the Whai, Taine Murray again carried much of the offensive load, but support was limited. Southland’s size told the story, with the Sharks winning the rebounding battle 39-26 and preventing any Tauranga player from grabbing more than 3 boards.

What to Expect

Projected Starters

SBS Southland Sharks

PG: Rylan Jones

SG: Tukaha Cooper

SF: Caleb Asberry

PF: Brayden Inger

C: Sam Timmins

Property Brokers Manawatū Jets

PG: Kazlo Evans Jr.

SG: Hamza Zahran

SF: Kaden Sand

PF: Jamal Poplar Jr.

C: Lukah Richards

Southland should enter this game with confidence. The Sharks have not been one of the league’s highest-scoring sides overall, but their last outing showed what the offence can look like when Asberry, Jones, Boone, Cooper and Timmins are all contributing.

The Sharks’ biggest advantage may be size. Southland ranks third in rebounding, third in offensive rebounding percentage and fourth in blocks, rankings touting their interior strength. That matters against a Jets team that has been forced to play short-handed and is giving up a league-high in points per game.

For Manawatū, the formula is clear. The Jets need another big night from Poplar Jr. and Sand, but they also need to avoid the foul trouble that hurt them badly against Otago. Poplar Jr. is averaging 23.2 points and 10.6 rebounds, while Sand is averaging 21.2 points, 6.6 rebounds and 4.2 assists. Both are among the most productive players in the league, but the Jets’ margin for error is thin with so many players unavailable.

Southland will want to run offence through Timmins, use Jones and Asberry as creators, and punish Manawatū on the glass. The Jets will need to protect the ball, manage fouls and find enough support from Kazlo Evans Jr., Hamza Zahran, Lukah Richards and Alex Holcombe to avoid the game becoming too reliant on Poplar Jr. and Sand.

Matchup to Watch

Sam Timmins v Jamal Poplar Jr.

This is the key battle. Sam Timmins has been one of the most impactful bigs in the competition, averaging 20.5 points, a league-leading 13.0 rebounds, 6.3 assists and 2.8 blocks per game. He gives Southland size, passing, scoring and rim protection, and he has been central to almost everything the Sharks do well.

Jamal Poplar Jr. has been just as important for Manawatū. He is averaging 23.2 points and 10.6 rebounds per game and has been one of the few players in the league consistently producing as both a scorer and rebounder. His ability to attack mismatches and clean the glass gives the Jets a genuine focal point.

The challenge for Poplar Jr. will be staying on the floor. He fouled out against Otago, and with the Jets already down bodies, they cannot afford to lose him for extended stretches. If Timmins can force him into tough defensive decisions and control the interior, Southland will be in a strong position. If Poplar Jr. can match him physically and keep the Jets competitive on the boards, Manawatū has a chance to make this uncomfortable.

Caleb Asberry v Kaden Sand

Caleb Asberry looked back to his best against Tauranga, scoring 29 points and adding 7 assists. He gives the Sharks a proven shot-maker who can create for himself and others, and his return has immediately lifted Southland’s offensive ceiling.

Kaden Sand continues to be one of the best stories of the early season for the Jets. He is averaging 21.2 points, shooting 60 percent from the field and 55 percent from three, while also adding 6.6 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game.

Both players can score efficiently and both can shift momentum quickly. If Asberry gets rolling again at home, Southland’s offence could open up quickly. If Sand can stay aggressive without getting into foul trouble, he gives the Jets the scoring punch they need to hang around.

Individual Leaders

Category	Sharks	Jets
Leading scorer	Caleb Asberry 21.0	Jamal Poplar Jr. 23.2
Leading rebounder	Sam Timmins 13.0	Jamal Poplar Jr. 10.6
Leading assists	Sam Timmins 6.3	Sand / Evans Jr. 4.2
Best FG%	Keylan Boone 73%	Alex Holcombe 80%
Best 3PT FG%	Quake Webster 58%	Christian McDaniel 67%
Blocks	Sam Timmins 2.8	Alex Holcombe 2.0
Steals	Brayden Inger 2.0	Kaden Sand 1.6
Minutes	Sam Timmins 34:32	Jamal Poplar Jr. 33:31

Stats that Matter

Stat	Sharks	Jets
Points Per Game	85.0 (11th)	90.2 (7th)
Points Allowed Per Game	89.0 (3rd)	101.8 (11th)
Scoring Margin	-4.0 (7th)	-11.6 (11th)
Field Goal %	45% (9th)	46% (6th)
Field Goal % Defense	43% (3rd)	46% (5th)
Free Throw %	59% (9th)	68% (6th)
3-Point %	31% (9th)	33% (6th)
3-Point % Defense	34% (7th)	35% (9th)
Offensive Rebound Percentage	30% (3rd)	25% (9th)
Defensive Rebound Percentage	73% (7th)	73% (6th)
Steals Per Game	6.0 (10th)	5.8 (11th)
Blocks Per Game	4.3 (4th)	4.4 (3rd)
Assist/Turnover Ratio	1.3 (8th)	1.2 (10th)

Southland enters this one with momentum and, at least on paper, the clearer path to victory. The Sharks have size, rim protection, rebounding and now more scoring depth with Asberry, Boone and Inger in the mix. Their 106-point performance against Tauranga was the first real look at what this group can become when the pieces are available and the ball starts moving.

For Manawatū, the challenge is depth and discipline. The Jets have two elite producers in Poplar Jr. and Sand, but with so many players unavailable, they need both to stay out of foul trouble and carry heavy minutes. They also need more from Evans Jr., Zahran, Richards and Holcombe, especially on the road against a Sharks team that can punish mistakes on the glass.

The numbers show two teams still trying to fully establish themselves. Southland has defended and rebounded better, while Manawatū has scored slightly more but struggled badly to get stops. If the Sharks control the paint and keep the Jets off the line, they should be well placed at home. If Poplar Jr. and Sand can stay on the floor and produce another big scoring night, the Jets have enough top-end talent to make this a contest.