Defence crucial to Airs' game plan - Taranaki Daily News

Two teams with two different goals will take the court when the Nelson Giants play the Taranaki Mountain Airs in Nelson tonight.

The Giants will be looking for their fifth win from 10 games and payback for their shock 89-71 loss to the Mountain Airs in New Plymouth earlier this year.

The Mountain Airs on the other hand will be looking for a notable double over the Nelson team and to turn things around after losing both their games last weekend – 92-88 to the Otago Nuggets and 97-95 to the Southland Sharks.

"Their starting five seem to be gelling," said Taranaki coach David Bublitz when assessing the Nelson lineup.

"With Phill (Jones) and Mika (Vukona) in the lineup, they're a different outfit. In saying that, they're only five or six deep and their bench is so-so. I think we've got a really good chance."

Bublitz said the key would be disrupting the home side.

"We have to get them off their game. Defence will be key. It's been an issue for us all year. We don't have too many problems scoring points and we've been working on defence this week. Everyone needs to take responsibility."

The southern losses were tough to swallow last week, with Airs' import Jack Leasure scoring game-high figures in both games. Against the Nuggets, Leasure scored 32 points and backed that up with 25 against the Sharks.

The Giants have won three of their last four, including wins over the Bay Hawks and the Wellington Saints who are first and second respectively on the points table.

Missing Jones and Vukona, Nelson were no match for Taranaki earlier this year but with them back it will be a different story.

Vukona is averaging 10.5 rebounds per match and his match-up with Taranaki big man Marcus Campbell will be key. Campbell has six double, doubles (10 points or more and 10 rebounds or more) in his last seven games and Taranaki will need that sort of effort again tonight if they are to have any chance.

Taranaki's defence will have to be watertight. Leaking points like they have been doing will only mean one thing – another loss.

Taranaki Daily News



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