The Tasmania JackJumpers have opened the NBL season with a thrilling 83-74 overtime win over the Brisbane Bullets in Hobart.
In front of a sell out crowd, the JackJumpers took control of the game from the opening tip, quickly opening up a lead off the back of smothering team defence. Josh Magette leading the new franchise with 8 points and 5 assists to finish the quarter and provide the JackJumpers with a 27-19 quarter time lead.
In the second, the Bullets adapted their game to shut down Magette and his impact on the JackJumpers overall offence, which led to clunky offence and low percentage shots. While at the other end or Brisbane, Sobey was the clear target for their offensive game, but imports Robert Franks and Lamar Patterson were finding their form and closed out the quarter to be only down by one at the half.
The second half was a low scoring affair marred by fouls, turnovers and missed shots. It only felt it was going to take one player to get hot and hit a few baskets to blow the game wide open, however both teams couldn’t find the hot hand.
The final quarter was remaniciant to the late rounds of a boxing match, with both teams were searching for knockout blows, but both taking wild swings that were failing to connect with anything. The Bullets took the lead for the first time following a pair of Robert Franks free throws with midway through the final quarter and they were looking to run away with it, however, Josh Magette, who had been largely unseen since the opening quarter stormed back with a number of clutch basket to bring the raucous crowd back into the game and a famous victory was in sight
But a late 3 by Sobey in the final minute but celbrations on ice, and wayward foul shooting eventually saw the game go to overtime.
After the teams traded baskets a questionable unsportsmanlike foul and resulting ejection by a frustrated Nathan Sobey all but handed the game to the JackJumpers. Tasmania made the most of the final minutes and converted a number of big shots, including a spectacular alley-oop slam by Josh Adams with 90 seconds to play, which was even the more impressive given the context of match. But clutch 3’s from McDaniel and McVeigh sealed a famous win for the new franchise.
Coach Scott Roth was thrilled with how the JackJumpers performed in their debut game.
“What a way to start the season off with that type of game, and to create history in a wonderful building,”
“The buzz was great and our guys were very gritty and feisty, its one of the things I like about them.
“Ït wasn’t pretty, we’re not a sexy team, but we’re very competitive and very tough minded and they just found a way to win”.
Scott Roth
After the game Josh Adams praised the passion that the crowd brought to the game.
Embed from Getty ImagesWe definitely felt that energy and kind of boosted us up that last 5 minutes in overtime when Brisbnae didn’t respond with that same energy and we can contribute that to the fans.”
Josh Adams
Takeaways from the game
More inside shooting
In contrast to the Blitz matches, we saw a lot more inside shooting and an effort to get the foul line, with just over a third (28 of a 76 field goals) taken from outside. This could of been planned, but its likely the poor outside shooting (7-28 for 25%) that was likely a factor. They also were able to get the foul line more, which also was something they were able to do as frequently as their opposition at the blitz. The foul shooting will need to improve (18-31) and hopefully we can put down to nerves
McIntosh fouls out again
Mikyle McIntosh fouled out in just 18 minutes of court time, as he did at the blitz against Perth and Cairns. He’s one of the teams better defenders, but will need to ease off a bit until as he gets used to the reffing in the NBL.
He’s a versatile weapon on offense due to his elite skill level for his height. But really needs to be out there for longer stretches, to provide more options of offence.
More bench minutes
McIntosh’s foul trouble was partially to blame, but Roth was forced to play his starters for long stretches during this game. It resulted in Magnay, Magette, McDaniel and Adams all playing 34+ minutes. Overtime of course impacted the numbers, as did Steindl who was playing while recovering from a dislocated finger. But hopefully we’ll see less minutes expected from the starters on their pre-Christmas road trip.
Next up – The JackJumpers play at home against the Adelaide 36ers Thursday 9 December.
