Will hosts Lebanon hold off Tall Blacks' Haka spirit?

BEIRUT (FIBA Asia Cup 2017) - Lebanon and New Zealand both won on Day 1 of the Asia Cup, which means their battle today will probably determine who tops Group C.

New Zealand debuted at the Asia Cup with with aplomb, bucking some early sloppy play to blow out Kazakhstan, 70-49. Lebanon, meanwhile, staved off a late rally to upend Korea, 72-66, in their first game. Both teams have more or less the same size, but Lebanon are much older with an average age of 28 years old. That can work in their favor, though, especially with veterans like Fadi El Khatib and Jean Abdelnour balancing out the youthfulness of Wael Arakji and Amir Saoud, but to prevail, the Cedars will need to overcome the Kiwis' trademark "haka" or warrior's spirit. This will be the first acid test for the Tall Blacks, and for sure they cannot afford another slow start against the home team.

Key Matchups: Wael Arakji was Lebanon's main man on Day 1, and trying to stop him here will be the Kiwis' own star guard Shea Ili. Arakji exploded for 22 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists in spearheading the Cedars' charge, while Ili himself had a solid outing against the Kazakhs, putting up 13 points, 2 boards and 3 assists. If New Zealand allow Arakji to have his way again, the Tall Blacks could be in big trouble here, so Ili along with backcourt mate Derone Raukawa will need to put the clamps on the left Lebanese star.

Key Stat: The Kiwis are a deceptively fast team. They have some bigs and are physically imposing, yes, but all of them can run. They showed that in their opening day win over Kazakhstan, outscoring them in transition, 11-0. Even frontliners like Jordan Ngatai and Finn Delany were running the floor in that game, and that's what Lebanon have to focus on here. The Cedars have to be able to get their own running game going while also trying to slow down the Tall Blacks' fastbreak attack. For the record, Lebanon outscored Korea in transition, 16-4.

FIBA