Basketball: Big challenge for Airs today against Canterbury

Basketball NZ

Wheeler Motor Company Canterbury Rams (14-3, 1st) v Steelformers Taranaki Airs (10-8, 3rd)

The Rams had their 10-game winning streak snapped last time out but can still wrap up the top seed and home court advantage in the postseason with a win. Standing in their way is a determined Airs side that can lock up a home Eliminator Final of their own, and they have both the will and the skill to steal a win on the road. Will the Airs hand the Rams a second consecutive loss to move closer to a home final, or will the Rams rediscover their form and secure the top seed?

When: Sunday 29th June, Rapid League 2pm, Sal's NBL 3pm

Where: Cowles Stadium, Christchurch
Watch: Live in New Zealand on Sky Open & Sky Sport 3 | USA: ESPN3  | International: FIBA.  

Last Time Out:

The top-of-the-table Rams hit the road to face the Jets but were put on the back foot early as the home side surged ahead by nine, sparked by an Isaac Miller-Jose dunk. Despite missing Taylor Britt (concussion), the Rams kept battling back, repeatedly trimming the margin to a single point behind the efforts of Walter Brown (20pts, 7rbs, 2ast) and a monster triple-double from Kyle Bowen (16pts, 22rbs, 10ast, 2stls, 1blk). But each time the Rams closed in, the Jets found a reply, with Miles Gibson (19pts, 3rbs, 2stls) and Corey Webster (19pts, 7rbs, 8ast, 2stls, 1blk) leading a balanced starting five where everyone hit double figures. In the end, the Rams couldn’t quite overhaul the Jets, who secured a 92–86 victory, though their win came at a cost, with Webster ruled out for the rest of the season through injury.

The Airs hit the road to face the Bulls and came out strong, controlling the game through the first three quarters. Carlin Davison (17pts, 9ast, 4rbs) and Armon Fletcher (19pts, 3rbs) found their touch early, while a Flynn Cameron (20pts, 10rbs, 4ast) buzzer-beater kept Taranaki in front by two heading into the final term. But despite holding the momentum for most of the night, the Airs couldn’t withstand a late Franklin surge, Tae Hardy (22pts, 4ast) and Till Gloger (20pts, 7rbs, 3ast) powered the Bulls to a 26–11 fourth-quarter run that flipped the game on its head. The 96–83 defeat puts Taranaki’s hopes of hosting a home Eliminator Final under threat, while breathing new life into Franklin’s playoff chase.

What to Expect:

The Rams will be hungry to bounce back from just their third loss of the season as they aim to lock down the top seed, but they’ll need to do it again without captain and point guard Taylor Britt, who remains sidelined. Without him, the offense lost some of its natural flow last week, still scoring but taking a more circuitous route to get there. Sean MacDonald and Kaia Isaac will look to handle more of the playmaking load, though both are most comfortable hunting their own shot first. Up front, the Rams boast a relentless and skilled big-man rotation of Kyle Bowen, Tohi Smith-Milner, C.J. Penha and Max Darling. Walter Brown will likely take on the key assignment of guarding Carlin Davison and has the size and versatility to make an impact. While the Rams' perimeter depth is relatively inexperienced, they combine the league’s top defense with its highest-scoring offense, a formula that has kept them unbeaten at Cowles this season.

The Airs have dropped two straight but still hold the inside track to secure a home Eliminator Final, if they can rediscover their offensive efficiency, having failed to top 84 points in their last three games. Davison has taken the reins offensively, while Armon Fletcher has become more aggressive of late. Craig Moller and Jack Andrew anchor the interior and will need to control the paint and clean the glass against the Rams’ bigs. Deng Dut and Jaylen Gerrand bring defensive energy, but timely scoring would be a bonus. With limited volume and efficiency from beyond the arc, the Airs must look after the ball and try to create turnovers to spark their transition game, all while attempting to hand the Rams their first home loss of the season.

Matchup to Watch: Walter Brown v Carlin Davison- Brown stepped up offensively with Britt out and will look to do so again, but his main task will be limiting Davison, who is the hub of the Airs’ attack. Two young, versatile wings who do a bit of everything will go head-to-head, and this battle could decide the game.