A promising start by the Tasmania JackJumpers was undone by lack of scoring down the stretch, as they were run down 76-72 by Melbourne United on new years day in Hobart.
In what has become a similar pattern throughout their short existence, they have played excellent team basketball for most of the game, only to see it all come undone in the final quarter.
The JackJumpers were without Will Magnay for the game due to COVID Protocols. This would stretch a lineup already short on big men to stop Melbourne’s 211cm rising star Jo Lual-Acuil.
The game began with both teams looking to push the ball and gain an early lead. The JackJumpers focused on pushing the ball inside and rarely looked to settle for the outside shot. They took a 27-22 lead at the end of the first quarter from playing team basketball that got the ball through hands This allowed Fabian Krislovic, Sam McDaniel, Matt Kenyon to all getting on the scoresheet early and lightening the load for Josh Adams and Josh Magette.
Textbook Fab-ulous
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Playing with a shorter lineup Tasmania placed defensive pressure on ball handlers Matthew Dellavadova and Chris Goulding. With mismatches presenting inside for Melbourne, Tasmania flooded the passing lanes and made it difficult for the Melbourne bigs to see tje ball. Tasmania forced 11 turnovers through the first half while leading by as many as 10 points midway through the second quarter. However, it was the Melbourne centre combo of Lual-Acuil and Ariel Hukporti who kept them the game. Combined they accounted for 21 points at the half, giving the visitors a one point lead at halftime.
In the second half Melbourne adjusted its offence, stopping Tasmania’s easy penetration to the basket. Melbourne’s guards focused on getting the ball out of Adams and Magette or forcing the outside shot. Magette happily obliged to the tactics by knocking down three baskets from outside for the quarter. This however was matched by Chris Goulding, who also splashed three shots from downtown. The JackJumpers defense had kept Goulding quiet for the game to this point. Him finding his range was a concern going into the final period, which Tasmania led by 2 points.
Tasmania also lost Jarred Weeks in the third after falling heavily on his knee. LeavingMagette to play the bulk of the minutes at the point.
Going into the forth Tasmania were looking to get Clint Steindl and Jarred McVeigh going on offence. Without Magnay, Adams and Magette had been carrying the offence load, Steindl and McVeigh needed to provide more options.
However, offence was incredibly hard to come by for the JackJumpers. Despite forcing a further 6 turnovers they were unable to translate it to points on the offensive end. as they shot a combined 2/13 from the field. This included only scoring 3 points in the opening 8 minutes of final quarter. Melbourne did not fare much better, however their premiership experience helped them to find points under the basket when they mattered in the final closing minutes.
A late 2 points by Josh Adams and foul shots by Josh Magette kept the scores close, but Melbourne were able to close out the game with a 13-4 final quarter for a tough 4 point win.
Josh Adams led the scoring again with 23 and Magette 15, however they were the only to make it to double figures. While Jo Lual-Acuil led Melbourne with 19 points and 7 rebounds
Scott Roth conceded Melbourne’s experience in the closing stages was the difference between the two teams.
Embed from Getty ImagesThis is a heck of a league with a lot of very strong teams coming in it and we can’t take a night off to play. You have to be on top of your form and again like a said before our margin for error is not real big, we need everyone clicking at the same time. And when you play a team like this that’s a championship caliber team that has the pedigree they have you can’t make a lot of mistakes, they make you pay for them and we made some mistakes at some critical times offensively but also on the defensive end.
Scott Roth
Key Takeaways from the game
Foul shooting
Struggles from the foul line again came back to bite the JackJumpers, who shot a disappointing 10/20 from the foul line.
Opportunities from turnovers
The JackJumpers defensive pressure was impressive, forcing 22 turnovers and only committing 9. But once again did not capitalize on offence, shooting an extra 14 shots from the field (27/71 at 38%) compared to Melbourne (31/57 at 54%)
Bench points
In recent games the JackJumpers have received big points from their bench. However, tonights 17 was one of thier lowest of the season.
