Nelson Giants vs Taranaki Airs: Analysis and Prediction – Nelson Giants will play a 5th round NBL NZ match against the Taranaki Airs at the Trafalgar Centre.
Nelson Giants vs Taranaki Airs Odds
Nelson Giants Team News
The Nelson Giants started off the new season with a heavily shorthanded roster and lost their three opening games. However, after two new imports arrived and some domestic players returned from injuries, the Giants surged back into form and won their last two outings against the Auckland Tuatara (88:84) and the Manawatu Jets (92:77).
The Giants kicked off the season with only one Australian import Dan Grida and without any American imports along with their captain Sam Dempster being injured. After the arrival of two new pieces, American imports Theo Akwuba and Kobe Langley, along with the return of their injured captain, the Giants are looking like a completely different side capable of beating any team in the league.
This game was proclaimed as the matchup of the round, which will probably be decided in the paint between Theo Akwuba and Sam Froling. If the Giants are to win this game, their center needs to impose his presence down low along with the speed of Kobe Langley and the defense of Alex McNaught being key factors.
Taranaki Airs Team News
With their star Australian import point guard Mitch McCarron back in the lineup, the Taranaki Airs imposed their dominance against the Whai Tauranga couple of days ago and came away as convincing 15-point winners (89:74). Whai simply didn´t have the size to guard Sam Froling in the paint, who had a field day with a total of 24 points and 10 rebounds.
With a complete lineup, the Taranaki Airs are definitely one of the title favourites. Since they started off the new season undermanned, they had a bit of a slow start, but recently with a full contingent of imports and Flynn Cameron on board they have improved massively. The Airs currently sit fourth in the table with a 3-2 W-L record, which would have been much better if they had a complete roster in all of their games.
The Taranaki Airs are hoping to conclude the round with two wins on the road, but it will not be easy at the Trafalgar Centre against a stacked and in-form Nelson Giants side. As we already mentioned, if they can impose their presence in the frontcourt, they will likely come out on top with Sam Froling being the key factor in this match.
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Nelson Giants vs Taranaki Airs H2H
This will be the first head-to-head meeting of these teams this season.
Absences and injuries
Both teams will have full squads at their disposal.
Nelson Giants vs Taranaki Airs Prediction
It is very difficult to predict the winner of this game, but a slight edge needs to be given to the Taranaki Airs. They have a complete lineup and during the preseason were considered as one of the title favourites. Sam Froling was very dominant couple of days ago in their win over Whai, so we opted for the Taranaki Airs moneyline including overtime.
Tip-off Time: Sunday, 28.04.2024, 08:30 CET
Prediction: Taranaki Airs to win
Odds: 1.70
Sportsbook: MyBookie
*Odds are active at the time the article is published
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