Tasmania are facing another two away matches this weekend as they look to end the season on a high in the final two rounds of the season.
They will be heading into tonight round with a spring in their step, knowing that the Adelaide 36’ers did them a huge favor in knocking off the Perth Wildcats last night.
That result now leaves the JackJumpers one win behind the Wildcats in the 4th with three games to play.
But before looking ahead to plauyoffs, the JackJumpers need to take care of round 20 of NBL22.
New Zealand (5-21) v Tasmania (14-11) @ My State Bank Arena, Friday 15 April – 7.30pm AEST
Previous match ups
New Zealand 75 @ Tasmania 84, 26 December 2021
Tasmania 83 @ New Zealand 59, 30 January 2022
New Zealand 62 @ Tasmania 66, 5 March 2022
First up is an “away” game at MyState Bank Arena. As we reported last week, the NZ Breakers home game on Good Friday will be closed to the public. The Breakers chose to close the game for commercial decisions. Although I totally understand the Breakers position, I think any closed game is a not a good look for the league, and hoped the NBL could of came to an arrangement with the Breakers to let fans in.
This will be the forth and final matchup between the two teams, with Tasmania hosting a 3-0 record so far.
It’s been a difficult season for the breakers, who despite playing some good basketball and being in the contest have lost eight straight. This includes a narrow loss to the Sydney Kings in Bendigo on Tuesday night.
Keys to the game
In their matches so far, the Breakers have really struggled to get points on the board as the struggle to get their offence running through the JackJumpers defense and are forced into a lot of tough shots.
Across the three matchups so far, the Breakers have been held to 65.4 points per game at 35% field goal shooting. In their most recent matchup in the Launceston on 5 March the Breakers held a 53-50 three quarter time lead. But were held to only 9 points in the final quarter as Tasmania ended up with a 66-62 win.
Both teams match up size very well, with particularly guard heavy and neither possess tall lineups. Not surprisingly both teams rank 9th (TAS 35.4 RPG) and 10th (NZ 30.4 RPG) in the league or rebounding. Getting on op of the rebounds could be key to winning the game. Which culdl be made harder for the breakers if leading rebounder Yanni Wetzel does not play. On Thursday he was linked to Spanish club Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz to finish their European season. This is all speculation at this stage, its unsure if he will be appearing tonight for the Breakers.
South East Melbourne (13-12) v Tasmania (14-11) @ John Cain Arena, Sunday 17 April – 1PM AEST
Previous match ups
SE Melbourne 76 @ Tasmania 63, 23 January 2022
Tasmania 71 @ SE Melbourne 83, 18 February 2022
For part two of the weekend double header Tasmania will head to Melbourne to take on the Phoenix. They also are o the cusp of a playoffs spot, but recent losses has all but ende dthier chances of post season action.
Tasmania is yet to beat the Phoenix, and its hard to imagine them roll over without a fight and provide any favors to Tasmania.
Keys to the game
This one is all about matchups and competing on boards. In both matches so far this season the Phoenix have dominated on the glass, and taken away the second chance opportunities Tasmania is usually able to have.
In their two matchups so far the Phoenix have outrebounded Tasmania 96 to 72 and outscored them in the paint 82 to 52. The shining light for Tassie is the with last match up was Will Magnay first game out with his knee injury, where Jock Perry was called up as a shock starter. The team since has adjusted to life without Magnay, and have dramatically improved their rebounding and boxing out. They will need all hands on deck as the Phoenix no doubt will “go big” and make Zhou Qi, Dane Pinaeu and Mitch Creek focal points in the paint.
But Tassie has been undersized most of the season and will look to get out and run, or take advantage of mismatches on the pick and roll. Regardless, the clash of two game styles in a playoff type atmosphere will make a for great game.
