Airs back at home against Manawatu Jets

Casey Frank

Steelformers Taranaki Airs (1-3) vs. Property Brokers Manawatu Jets (2-2), Saturday, April 29, 5pm.

The Jets are back on the road and will be looking to continue their success with a bend but don’t break defence that has strangled the life out of the oppositions 3-point attack (opponents shooting 22% 3PTFG).

Combined with the best rebounding in the league (2nd in defensive REB % at 77.8, 1st in offensive REB% at 33.1) they have ground down opponents while executing down the stretch to win two in a row. The import trio carries a heavy load, but a shared one which is indicated by a league leading 61.2% assist percentage highlighting how well this team is playing as a unit.

With Mustapha Heron (26 PPG) and Danny Pippen (22.8 PPG) in the top-5 of scoring and Javion Blake 4th in assists (6 PG) there are multiple options when it comes to scoring in the half court, but it’s the launching of the 3-ball that has been the great equaliser, with 52% of their shots coming from deep at a league leading 36%.

The Airs have yet to find that flow as a team with little spacing offered by a lagging 3-point attack (last in makes and attempts with 29 threes off 69 attempts for 28%). If the Airs can’t find a way to connect from deep the game will turn into an arm wrestle on the interior where the Jets have excelled.  The Airs will hope some pace will test the Jets (last in pace) but have yet to prove they are comfortable in a faster paced game themselves.

Matchup to Watch: Anzac Rissetto vs. Danny Pippen II