The JackJumpers continue to defy the rules of a new franchise, by doing things that they have no business doing. First it was making the playoffs, but they are not making up the numbers this post season, they are challenging for the title.
On Saturday night at MyState Bank arena in Hobart, yet another a sold out crowd saw them become the first team in their debut season to win a finals game. In the process they have tied their series with Melbourne United at 1-1 and forced a deciding game on Monday night.
Despite the 79-72 victory, JackJumeprs coach Scott Roth is wanting more.
“We’re not satisfied….we’re not done,” Roth said.
“The building was electric. These guys have done the work all year, and have the right to be in this position, because of all the hard work they’ve done.
“They continue to fight and scrap and defend the island. Super proud of the group, and the effort and the fight, and that’s all we were looking for this evening, was to be the most competitive team on the floor. It was a heck of a game. It was old school kind of back and forth, and heavy hitters going both ways.”
Point guard Josh Magette also echoed the Roth’s comments of not getting ahead of the themselves.
“There’s a lot of positive vibes in the locker room right now, but we know the job’s not done. Its the first of two [wins] and we’ll be ready to go Monday night,” Magette said.
Another tough defensive game
Similar to game one, the match was a hard fought, scrappy encounter between the leagues best two defensive sides. Scoring was hard to come by for both teams, with the home team holding a narrow 7-6 lead halfway through the quarter.
Tasmania were able to score through Josh Adams at the foul line and a late three from Clint Steind to stretch the lead. Melbourne finished the quarter down 12-17 having not being able to score a field goal outside the key.
Clint on fire early
— Tasmania JackJumpers 🐜 (@JackJumpers) April 30, 2022
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Tassie captain Clint Steindl was given very little space by various Melbourne defenders. But the three point specialist hit a couple of early two’s and a Matt Kenyon three suddenly saw the home team lead move to double figures.
Melbourne still struggled from outside, connecting on only 1 of 11 three point attempts in the first half. However they stayed in touch by scoring around the rim through through Caleb Agada, Shea Illi and Jo Lual-Acuil. The JackJumpers lead had pushed out to 35-26 with two minutes to play, but a late 7 point run Melbourne saw the lead cut to 38-34 at the half.
The sell out Hobart crowd was set for a big second half and were required to help get their team over the line. The three point shooting for Melbourne which had deserted them in the first half had returned in the form of Chris Goulding. He silenced the crowd with three big shots from outside and crept Melbourne United to the lead.
Neither team was able to grab any real momentum due to the high level defensive efforts on the floor. Leading both teams 59-59 at the final break.
A tight final quarter looked to be headed to grind for both teams until Jack McVeigh stepped up to change the course of the game. On consecutive possessions he knocked down two threes from well outside to give home team the lead.
Mcveigh back to back from deep range
— Tasmania JackJumpers 🐜 (@JackJumpers) April 30, 2022
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The two teams traded baskets under intense pressure, with the game once again blown open by another big three this time by Josh Magette.
This was returned by a 3 point shot by Goulding that rimmed out, only to be fouled by Josh Adams. This was overturned by a controversial coaches challenged, deemed that Goulding’s legs were not impaired during the shot.
The game was sealed by two tough baskets around rim in the final minute by MiKyle McIntosh, before some late free throws to seal the win.
McIntosh 🗡️❗️#NBLFinals live on @ESPNAusNZ and @kayosports 📺 pic.twitter.com/rTI9al7XFj
— NBL (@NBL) April 30, 2022
The match was built as the biggest basketball game in Tasmania’s history and it did not disappoint. Both teams will not recover before they face off for r third and final time in Melbourne on Monday night.
Embed from Getty ImagesKey Takeaways from the game
Tasmania improves on the rebounds
IScott Roth asked his team to respond following game one where Melbourne United outmuscled Tasmania on the boards 52-32, But in game two Tasmania led the rebound count into the final quarter and being edged out 41-38. This dried up a lot of the second chance points that Melbourne had in game one and was key to Tasmania hanging on to victory
Melbourne shooting woes
Once again, Melbourne United struggled with their shooting from outside. They hit some from outside late but were 6/34 (17%) on the night. Which was slightly worse that their 5/25 (20%) from game one.
Jarred Bairstow steps up
The backup big had one of his best games for the season, as he held down Lual-Acuil impact on the game. With Krslovic in early foul trouble Bairstow played extended minutes for 6 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists.
