How it works
The top two seeds — Taranaki Airs and Nelson Giants — get a free pass through the first round. The third-seeded Otago Nuggets meet the sixth-seeded Hawke’s Bay Hawks tonight, while the Wellington Saints face the Auckland Tuatara in the fourth v fifth game. The two winners advance. Taranaki will play the lowest-seeded winner in tomorrow’s semifinal, while Nelson faces the highest-seeded winner on Friday. The two winners will then play in Saturday’s final.
Taranaki Airs
Record: 12-6
Secured their first top placing since 1992, turning around after going 1-17 a year ago. This is a team full of quality that plays an up-tempo and attractive brand of basketball. Javonte Douglas had been among the leading MVP contenders and fills the stat sheet every night, while Anthony Hilliard was the league’s leading scorer. Crucially, they have a strong contingent of New Zealanders, including monster centre Tai Wynyard, naturalised American Marcel Jones and former Otago Nuggets guard Richie Rodger. If the Airs get going, they are tough to stop and can hurt others in so many ways.
Nelson Giants
Record: 12-6
Have an elite import duo in Jarrod West and Trey Mourning, but have played well above themselves as a team. Their locals have all stepped up and filled their roles well, while Mike Fitchett has done an outstanding job coaching. In Alex McNaught and West, they have arguably the most relentless defensive backcourt in the league. They have tapered off in recent games, though. If West and Mourning can be contained, that goes a long way to beating the Giants.
Otago Nuggets
Record: 10-8
There is plenty to like about them when everything clicks — emphasis on the ‘‘when’’. Sam Timmins is as good as any centre in the league, while Nikau McCullough has emerged as one of the best scoring guards around. The import trio are all capable of taking over a game on their day — although two are under an injury cloud — while the local contingent has come along leaps and bounds over the past couple of months. Their form may have dipped from the early-season five-match winning streak, but the Nuggets have bounced back and won four of their past five games. The draw is not awful, either — the Hawks tonight and, if they win, the Giants for a chance to play in the final.
Wellington Saints
Record: 10-8
Hitting form at the right time and beginning to play like the team many expected. Xavier Cooks is the best player in the league and can win a game himself if it is tight down the stretch. Tom Vodanovich and Taane Samuel are similarly long, mobile and skilful, while Jordan Ngatai is experienced and a proven scorer. Those four, combined with new import Reginald Upshaw, have formed the most lethal five in the league. When they are on together, they outscore their opponents by 49 points per 100 possessions — a statistic courtesy of spatialjam.com’s Andrew Price. With that sort of quality, in this sort of form, the Saints are very much capable of turning around completely and claiming a second title in as many years.
Auckland Tuatara
Record: 10-8
Won seven of their first eight games, but took a major dive when star forward Chris Johnson left. Johnson is back now, putting this team right in the mix. He is joined by another star big in Rob Loe, reforming a twin towers duo that are capable of threatening both inside and out. Swingman Taki Fahrensohn is athletic and strong finishing at the hoop, while Siler Schneider is crafty at point guard. Young guard Dontae Russo-Nance is away at the NBA Basketball Without Borders camp and will be a big loss. Losing a key piece like that and reintegrating another will change the dynamic. This team is capable of going on a run, although will have a big task getting past Wellington.
Hawke’s Bay Hawks
Record: 10-8
Sneaked into the playoffs with an overtime win against the Canterbury Rams on Saturday. Have a handy core of Kiwis led by dominant forward Hyrum Harris, while also showing their depth by bringing the likes of Derone Raukawa and Jordan Hunt off the bench. Will be a tough match-up for any of the teams above them, although perhaps lack a top-end star that the other teams have. The Nuggets will have their hands full with the Hawks’ offensive threats, although they have beaten them in each of the past three match-ups.
