The winner of that clash will confirm their spot in the 2 v 3 semifinal, which is shaping up to be another Sharks v Rangers showdown. The Rangers won the last clash between the two sides by 30 points, and their game today could be another indicator towards which team is likely to make the NBL final.
Both sides have already claimed routine victories this weekend, with the Sharks the more convincing of the two, ending a three-game losing streak by dominating the Taranaki Mountainairs 91-70. Australian import big man Nick Kay had 15 points, 14 rebounds and four assists for the Sharks, who also got strong performances from Reuben Te Rangi (15 points, seven rebounds, five assists), Luke Aston (16 points) and James Hunter (17 points, nine rebounds).
Tall Blacks and New Zealand Breakers centre Alex Pledger only played 11 minutes due to ongoing concussion issues, and is in doubt to play the Rangers tomorrow.
The Rangers come into the clash on a back-to-back, having beaten the Nelson Giants today, as well conquering the Hawks earlier in the week.
Their 98-85 victory over the Hawks was an atrocious game, but that mattered little in the end for the Rangers as they added another important win in their race to avoid fourth. Good showings from Lindsay Tait (18 points, four rebounds, five assists), bench players Brook Ruscoe and Carl Buck (16 and 15 points respectively) and Earnest Ross (21 points, 11 rebounds on 8/23 shooting) gave the Rangers a big lead going into the fourth quarter, which they held despite a barrage of scoring from Tolovae.
Tolovae scored a remarkable 16 points in 150 seconds to give the Hawks a chance in the final quarter, hitting six threes as part of a career-high 28 point display.
Such fireworks were not present when the Rangers backed up today against the Giants, in what was a low-scoring affair. The Rangers came out on top, 79-65, with Ross (21 points, eight rebounds) getting support from imports Mitch McCarron (18 points) and Nnanna Egwu (14 points, 10 rebounds).
The contest was tight throughout three quarters, but the Rangers pulled away in the fourth, holding the Giants to a paltry nine points. Nelson's only good offensive showing came from Australian point guard Kyle Adnam, who battled through turf toe to notch 18 points and five assists. Breakers prospect Finn Delany had an off night, shooting a miserable 4/19 from the field for just eight points.
Those wins kept the Rangers ahead of the Rams on the ladder, despite the Rams posting an emphatic 101-70 win over the Mountainairs.
The Rams were playing without 2016 Most Valuable Player McKenzie Moore, but had far too much firepower for the Airs, shooting out to a 16 point halftime lead and coasting home.
Diminutive sharp shooter Marcus Alipate stepped up for the Rams in Moore's absence, scoring 19 points but more notably adding 10 assists, while Marcel Jones came off the bench to record 14 points and 12 rebounds in just 23 minutes of court time. 2016 Tall Blacks centre Michael Karena had his best game of the season with 17 points and nine rebounds, and Ethan Rusbatch enjoyed more action, putting up 20 points on just 11 shots, and adding six rebounds.
The Airs started the season strongly at 3-1, and were set to move to 4-1 before import centre Daniel Gomis broke his hand. Trent Adam's squad then lost that game, and the following nine as they went on a dismal run without Gomis, rapidly dropping out of the playoff race and into the race for the wooden spoon.
Gomis' return helped their cause, with the Airs finally snapping their losing streak, but they have lacked offensive fluidity of late. Point guard Houston O'Riley has battled hard, and put up 15 points against the Rams, while import Tylor Ongwae has had good moments.
However, the Airs struggled whenever they have injury issues, and they were missing Alonzo Burton against the Rams. Burton, who was named to the New Zealand Select Team to tour China, has had an excellent season, and his absence left the Airs with a severe lack of shooters.
As a result, they shot just 36 per cent from the field and 20 per cent from three as they dropped to a 4-13 record, and have a game which could decide who gets the wooden spoon next weekend against the Hawks.
As the bottom three teams fight it out to avoid the spoon, the top four sides will have one eye on the Final Four, which gets underway in Tauranga in a fortnight.
* The writer only realised the humour of this statement after he had written 1000 words on said dull subject matter. Way to draw in the reader!
