New Zealand Breakers 86 (Loe 27, Siva 13, Bach 12)
defeated by
Tasmania JackJumpers 88 (Adams 23, McVeigh 16, McIntosh 12)
The Tasmania JackJumpers remain in the playoff hunt after just hanging on 88-86 in hard fought win against the New Zealand Breakers in Hobart.
In a match that had huge playoff implications, Tasmania took a double figure lead early in the game and appeared to be cruising. But the Breakers, who are out of playoff contention, were not rolling over.
Only hours after confirmation that leading scorer and rebounder Yanni Wetzall was being released from the team to join Spanish EuroLeague team Baskonia, the breakers were needing someone to step up. The call was answered by Rob Loe, who scored a career high 25 points, seven rebounds and two blocks. The JackJumper struggled to contain Loe in the paint (9/10 FG) and was almost enough to bring home an upset victory.
The JackJumpers started the game strong, opening up and early 14-4 lead following some long range basket from Jack McVeigh and five points from Matt Kenyon. But the breakers with multiple three point baskets from Peyon Siva and Resmond Bach to but the lead to 24-28 at the end of the quarter.
The JackJumpers pushed the lead out again to double figures early in the second quarter and looked in complete control. However, again they couldn’t shake off the breakers, in particular Rob Lowe who scored 8 points in the final three minutes to cut Tasmania’s lead at halftime to one point.
Tasmania were struggling to have a defensive answer for Loe, and the breakers kept going to him in the post. He had a further eight points in opening 5 minutes of the second half to give the Breakers a four point lead. Tasmania then looked at their own inside game, with Mikyle McIntosh having an impact in the post. His late 6 points and Cint Steindl’s three kept them just behind the Breakers 68-70 going into the final quarter.
Peyton Siva extended the lead to six, but it was the JackJupmpers defense that stepped up in the final quarter. They kept Loe away from the key while forcing the Breakers into tough shots from outside. While at the other end Josh Adams was not settling for three’s and attacked the rim, finishing several tough baskets and getting to the foul line, givging them a 2 point advntiage into the final minutes.
New Zeland gave up the opportunity to tie the game and held out for a 3 poit to win the game on the buzzer, but Thomas Abercrobies was unable to repeat his game winner from the NBL cup, as his shot rimmed out and the Jackjumpers held on by 2 points.
The win takes them to a 15-11 record for the season, and ties them with Perth in 4th spot, who have a game in hand.
The JackJumpers head to Melbourne now where they play the South East Melbourne Phoenix on Sunday afternoon. This will be their second last game of the season before finishing off the regular season at home against Melbourne United.
Key Takeaways from the game
Outshot from the 3 point line
All season the JackJumpers have been known to live and die from the three point line, regularly taking more threes and twos . However, with the breakers fielding a slightly shorter lineup the JackJumpers attacked the rim far more than usual (45 of 68 attempts were two point shots).
However, it was the Breakers who looked to capitalize from outside. Taking 35 three point attempts (11/35) compared to the JackJumpers 23 (7/23).
Rebounding by committee
The JackJumpers won the rebound count 41-36. But it was the team effort that stood out, with five JackJumpers having five or more rebounds.
