Match facts
Tasmania JackJumpers 76 defeated Adelaide 36ers 71
Boxscore
Summary
After suffering consecutive losses, both Tasmania and Adelaide both entered MyState Bank Areana on Friday night needing to win. It was the home team who proved to hold their nerve in final quarter, in what was another match thrilling match between the two clubs.
Despite missing starters Mitch McCarron (COVID protocols) and Isaac Humphries (knee injury), the 36ers were in control during the opening term. Dusty Hannahs led his team with 11 points for the quarter, while Tasmania shot 6/22 for quarter to be down 24-15 at quarter time.
The 36ers held significant size advantage with Cam Bairstow, Daniel Johnson and Kai Sotto in their lienup. Their offence revolved around these players and getting the ball in the post for easy scoring opportunities. However, opportunities were limited for them, as the JackJumpers swarming defense was getting in the passing lanes and causing turnovers. This led to several fast break opportunities, with Will Magnay and Josh Adams finishing under the basket.
But despite seemingly in control, the JackJumpers couldn’t make significant inroads on the scoreboard as the couldn’t convert on the offensive end. Trailing at halftime 47-41.
The visitors struggled with the defensive pressure from Tasmania to start the second half. With Adelaide committing seven turnovers before scoring thier first poin four and a half minutes into the half. The JackJumpers again were not capitalising on the turnovers, but seemed only a few baskets from blowing the match open.
Without Mitch McCarron on the floor, and backup guards Sunday Dech and Tad Dufimeier playing limited minutes due to foul trouble, the sixers offence was struggling to score as well. It wasn’t the prettiest quarter of NBL22 with a total of 23 points scored. But the still held a 59-52 lead going into the final quarter.
Tasmania came to play in the final quarter with an 11-2 run in the opening 3 minutes to take a one point lead. The run included 8 points from Josh Magette and a three from Sam McDaniel.
Doing it like Dad
— Tasmania JackJumpers 🐜 (@JackJumpers) January 28, 2022
Make sure to watch live now on @ESPNAusNZ / @kayosports / @Foxtel pic.twitter.com/yXYUuqVjVo
Tasmania were relentless with the glass, with seven offensive rebounds for the quarter, creating multiple second chance opportunities.
Adelaide were still in the game, with Hannahs, Sottot and Dech able to find the basket, locking the game up at 69-all with 3 minutes to play. But leading scorer Hannahs was left to run the offence with with Dech and Dufumeir fouling out.
A three point play from Matt Kenyon gave the JackJumpers back the lead, and they created multiple defensive stops to hang onto their lead. This was followed by clutch foul shooting by Adams and Maggette sealing the game for Tasmania in the closing minute.
BIG. TASSIE. ENERGY.
— NBL (@NBL) January 28, 2022
SCOTT ROTH IS FIRED UP!!!@JackJumpers #NBL22 pic.twitter.com/v6j283MuJy
The win was an emotional one for Scott Roth, who praised his who squad after the game.
“This is a privilege what we do and for me, these guys have just been competing relentlessly in practices, in video sessions, in games and we haven’t got a couple across the line,” Scott Roths said.
“They just showed a lot of relentlessness, grit, compassion for each other. Our fans were fantastic to help get us over the line and yeah, I love it.
“They have been tremendous in helping build my vision for what I want this team to be.
“To hold this team to 24 points in the second half, to turn another team over 24 times and just fight tooth and nail when it didn’t look good at times, and show some poise at the end finally and make the right plays. The stops were huge and guys just stepped up across the board.”
Embed from Getty ImagesKey Takeaways from the game
Defensive pressure
Adelaide committed 24 turnovers for the game compared to Tasmania’s 10. This played a big part in the Jackjumpers having 20 more field goals attmpts for the game.
Clutch foul shooting
For a team that was shooting an NBL worst 64.7% coming into the game. They shot a perfect 7/7 in the final quarter when the game was on the line
A Mikolovski sighting
It was only breif, but Nikita Mikolvski saw his first time on court for the first time this season. The Russian next star had 2.07 on court in the second quarter for 1 assist, 1 steal and 1 foul.
Matt Kenyon steps up
After Sam McDaniel got into early foul trouble last week, Matt Kenyon saw extended minutes. This was extended this week as Kenyon started the game in place of McDaniel. The two of them are the best defenders on this squad and play a similar role. After COVID postponements, there is a number of make up games to take place in coming weeks, Roth would be closelty managing his squads fitness.
3 point shooting
Playing against a much bigger lineup we saw a big increase in filed goals attempted, with almost half of total field goal attempts from three. Despite some threes falling late in the game, they still shot 8/36 for 22%.
Next up
Only a short break before they play the New Zeland in Hobart on Sunday afternoon for a Breakers “home” game. The Breakers have come off a couple of impressive road wins in recent weeks agaisnt Brisbane and Sydney. However this is the breakers first game following a COVID outbreak within the team.
Tasmania will go into the game with confidence from Friday night, and that they beat the breakers in their previous encounter on boxing day.
