JackJumpers fall short in New Zealand

The Tasmania JackJumpers defensive game improved in a big way, but it wasn’t enough to stop the New Zealand Breakers from getting their first home victory in almost two years. The Breakers beating the Jackjumpers 71-65 in Auckland.

After a high scoring first half where the Breakers led by as many as 10, both teams stepped up their defense after half time, forcing the game into a scrappy finals-like atmosphere.

Tasmania could never quite chase down the lead, getting within two points within the final minute. But clutch foul shooting by the Breakers ensured they held on, and giving their fans a chance to celebrate a home victory for the first time in almost two years.

The JackJumpers dominated on the offensive glass, having 14 more shots. But they were unable to capitilise on the scoreboard, with the team shooting 36% from the field.

The result leaves Tasmania at 0-3 for the season, with an important home match on Sunday against Brisbane, who also are also winless in NBL23.

1st half

It was a loud and proud sell out Spark Arena that welcomed back their home team and the Breakers fed off that energy in the first quarter. They hit their opening six field goals to race to a 15-5 lead, mostly thanks to Jerell Brantly 7 points. Brantly was their target inside, his size and strength causing the interior defence problems and drawing the double team.

The energy was also extending to the defensive end, with the JackJumpers offense struggling to get through its sets, with an extended man defense forcing loose passes and forcing shots late in the shot clock.

Following a much needed timeout Tasmania’s offense settled and made the most of an overcomiited defense, shot fakes and extra passes saw Josh Magette, Jack McVeigh and Rashard Kelly open to knock down jump shots. Tasmania trailing 25-18 at the first break.

The teams traded baskets in the second quarter but mostly thanks to Tasmania’s relentlessness with the offensive rebounds. Allowing them several second chance baskets that kept them in the game with the Breakers more efficient shooting.

Brantly continued to be the target on the offensive end for the Breakers, as he moved to the outside and hit shots from range. Meanwhile fellow import Barry Brown Jr also was finding his range. But Tasmania continued to push, led by McVeigh and Kelly they continued to find the answers, and then cu the lead down to one. But the Breakers worked the ball through Brown and Brantly with success late in the half for a 46-39 lead.

2nd half

The free flowing offense of the first half switched into a grind in the third quarter, with only 17 points scored combined. This style of game better suited the JackJumpers, who slowly were making inroads into the lead.

They couldn’t capitalise on dominating the offensive rebounds, as they continued to miss from outside , where they shot just 7/33 for the game. However, they won the quarter 11-6 and to only be down by two points in the final term.

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 theirlead out to eight with five minutes to play. Tasmania responded by focused on getting the ball into the interior, with McVeigh, Kelly and Jarred weeks all scoring. 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.

What was said

“Quite proud of my group, I thought they played very well, ball didn’t go in, but I thought we competed at what we are normally competing at. We solved some problems on the way, so there’s some growth there. I’m quite happy with my group to be honest with you, Scott Roth said at the post game.

“We played a bit better in some areas and cleaned up some things. So I think those things are hugely important to us to make sure we’re growing in the right ways.”

“The biggest thing is you know we started off putting a team 29 times on the foul line the first night we played and the second night we put 32 shots on the foul line against Cairns so we kept them off the foul line. We were a little more disciplined and there’s a tremendous amount of growth with this group.

NEW ZEALAND BREAKERS 71 (Brantley 19, Le’afa 16, Brown 13)
TASMANIA JACKJUMPERS 65 (McVeigh 19, Kelly 13, Weeks 8) 

Key stats

The offensive rebounds was the main stat of the game, with Tasmania dominating 21-9. This is a huge improvement on the previous two games where they lost the overall rebound count. Converting it to points is another story, as they shot 36% for the game. As Scott Roth said, the shots just didn’t go in.

Overall

A much improved performance, but another close game that got away. We’ve seen great signs across the three games so far, but getting together across all 4 quarters has been an issue.

The JackJumpers had shot well from outside in the previous two games, so the poor shooting could be put down to just a bad shooting night in a new arena.

Up Next

The team has a quick turnaround as they host the Brisbane Bullets in Hobart on Sunday afternoon. With three losses to start the season, this will be a very important game for JackJumpers.

The games then don’t get any easier, they hit the road in round 3 with games against Adelaide and Melbourne United.