Game Details
Round 6, New Zealand Breakers (5-2) vs Tasmania JackJumpers (4-3)
2pm AEDT Sunday 30 October @ Spark Arena, Auckland
Watch LIVE on ESPN via Kayo or Foxtel
Game context
Its a matchup between the NBL’s most in-form teams, with Tasmania (3rd place) winning four in a row and New Zealand (2nd place) winning four of its last five.
It’s their second meeting of NBL23 In Auckland, with New Zealand beating the then winless JackJumpers 71-65 in their home opener.
Both teams since then have improved with a few move games under their belt, Tasmania picking up impressive wins in Adelaide and Melbourne, plus beating Perth in Hobart in their last game. Meanwhile Breakers are coming off arguable their best performance of the season with a 29 point demolition of Adelaide on Thursday night and a road win in Cairns last round.
The only concern for the Breakers is their previous home game on October 20 across town at Trusts Stadium, where they were beaten 99-77 by the South East Melbourne Phoenix. That shock loss came after two impressive away wins, and will be hoping history doesn’t repeat when they return home on Sunday.
Stat facts
Breakers leading scorer Barry Browne has averaged 20 points or more in every game so far apart from his game against Tasmania, where he was held to 13.
The JackJumpers are averaging 84.5 points per game in NBL23, but their season low of 65 was against the Breakers in round two.
Lineups
Although things are looking positive for a possible November return, Will Magnay and Clint Steindl will keep them out of this game.
The Breakers will be almost full strength, but are still missing Thomas Abercrombie who is out for a few more weeks after an eye injury he suffered at the NBL Blitz pre-season tournament.
What has been said
Prior to leaving Tasmania, JackJumpers Assistant Coach Mark Radford said “We did this road trip to New Zealand a few weeks ago and we felt like we’ve seen a shift in what Scott and the coaching staff are looking for, and what the players are looking for from themselves.
“we felt like we’ve gained some momentum. It’s probably a good time to back to New Zealand and see where we are at on the road again. ” he said.
Speaking to Stuff.com.nz, Breakers coach Mody Moar said “I love to play in Spark [Arena] against a team that’s played less time in Spark than me,”
“I trust our guys to show up and compete. It will be a great game against great opposition and those are the challenges we like.”
Last time they met
New Zealand Breakers 71 defeated Tasmania JackJumpers 65
7 October 2022, Round 2, Spark Arena
The two sides battled it out three weeks ago at spark Arena. After two seasons of largely being based in Australia this game was the Breakers return game to New Zealand.
The Breakers got off to a hot start an opened a double figure lead largely thanks to Jarell Brantly inside, who Tasmania struggled to handle around the rim. Both teams traded baskets for the remainder of the first half, Tasmania only remaining in touch with the Breakers thanks to relentless offensive rebounding, providing several second chance shots.
The JackJumpers stepped up the defense in the second half, and the match became a grind for both teams. Tasmania outscoring the Breakers 11-6 in the third quarter to cut the lead to two points going into the final quarter.
It was an arm wrestle in the final quarter as both teams traded baskets looking for the knockout blow. Consecutive baskets by the breakers, ending with a three pointer by Izayah Le’afa pushed their lead out to eight. But late baskets by Tasmania, including a putback by Kelly with a minute to play put them within 2 points.
It wasn’t enough though, as Tasmania were unable score on their final trips down court, and Le’afa made all his free throws to give the Breakers an important home victory.