Game Details
Round Three – Adelaide 36ers (0-0) vs Tasmania JackJumpers (1-3)
7.30PM AEDT Thursday 13 October 2022 @ Adelaide Entertainment Centre
Watch: ESPN and Kayo
Listen: Cluch Radio
Game context
It may be the 36ers first game of NBL23 but the pressure is already on them perform after an impressive preseason at home and abroad.
In their pre-season they went a perfect 3-0 at the Blitz (including a win over the JackJumpers), then followed that up with a historic win over the Phoenix Suns and a loss the Oklahoma City Thunder in the United States.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe success follows a significant cleanout of the roster, bringing in high level talent ready to contend for the title immediately. They are back in Australia to start that campaign at home in front a near sell out home crowd against the Tasmania JackJumpers.
Tasmania will be out to spoil the homecoming party in Adelaide. The JackJumpers finally got their season going last round with a win last round against Brisbane in overtime, after three disappointing losses to start the season. Although they were not impressive across all four quarters, their defense lifted in the second half to restrict the Bullets to just 32 second half points.
They will need to draw on that defensive effort for the 40 minutes tonight, as they face one of the NBLs best offenses in the likes of Craig Randall, Robert Franks, Antonius Cleveland and Daniel Johnson (who will be a game time decision).
But Tasmania found some offensive power ‘themselves in the form of Milton Doyle who had 32 points in their win over the Bullets. The JackJumpers will be hoping for another big offensive output from him, and strong support from Rashard Kelly and former 36er Jack McVeigh.
Lineups
Tasmania one again will be without Will Magnay and Clint Steindl due to long term injuries. Sam McDaniel has has been ruled out with an ongoing rib injury, Sean MacDonald will replace McDaniel in the squad.
For Adelaide, Daniel Johnson will be assessed ahead of the game as to whether he takes part in the game. Johnson injured his ankle in the pre-season game against the Phoenix Suns.
What has been said
“Every team is a challenge, but with those guys getting a win over an NBA team it’s a bigger challenge for us coming in and facing them,” Milton Doyle, JackJumpers guard.
“We know we’re behind the eight-ball a little bit, in terms of, it’s Round 3 now, we haven’t played a game yet, so we’re ready to go.
“There’s no excuses from us. We know what the standard is and we want to meet it,” Mitch McCarron, 36ers guard.
Recent meetings
Last season Tasmania had a 2-1 record against the 36ers, including the JackJumpers winning their most recent encounter 80-72 on 2 April 2022 at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe teams also played last month at the NBL Blitz, with the 36ers prevailing 87-79 in Darwin. Despite Tasmania leading the game 15-6, it was a 19 point explosion for Cleveland in the first quarter that gave them the quarter time lead. Adelaide were in control for the remainder of the game, and held off a late fightback from Tasmania who tied the game at 73 in the final quarter. The size and length of Adelaide was the difference between the two teams. Highlighted by Adelaide outscoring Tasmania 48-26 in the paint, including 26-4 in the second half.