Game Details
Round One, South East Melbourne Phoenix vs Tasmania JackJumpers
6pm AEST Saturday 1 October @ John Cain Arena
Watch LIVE on ESPN via via Kayo or Foxtel, Listen LIVE on Cluch Radio
Game context
It’s the season opener for the JackJumpers and they head to Melbourne to kick off the NBL23 season against the South East Melbourne Phoenix. With new import duo Rashard Kelly and Milton Doyle Tasmania will be looking to go one better this season after falling to the Sydney Kings in the Grand final series. While its been a couple of disappointing seasons for the Phoenix, who made a number of changes to thier squad in the off season, including three new imports. The club has high expectations of post season action this season.
Lineups
Both teams have had significant injury concerns and are missing key players. For the JackJumpers they will be missing Will Magnay, Clint Steindl and Sam McDaniel. While for the Phoenix they will be without import duo Trey Kell and Gary Browne, as well as Ryan Broekhoff. But the big news is Mitch Creek will play his first game of the season, after missing all the Phoenix preseason games
What has been said
“We’ve got a couple of guys out at the moment but there going to be more opportunities for guys to step up. But we just focus on the game plan and what Scott tells us how we’re going to attack it. We’re more than confident that every single person in the squad will do their job. It’s just another game to get ready for.” – JackJumpers player Fab Krslovich told JackJumpers media.
“First home game of the season against the JackJumpers; obviously a team we very much respect. I thought personally just watching from afar on TV, they were the best team at the Blitz, and I think all pre-season. We expect the fans to come out in full force first game.” – Phoenix player, Mitch Creek said on the SE Melbourne Phoenix website.
Last time they met
17 April 2022, Round 20 – In what was a must win game for both teams to make the playoffs, Tasmania spoiled the party on the road for the Phoenix 84-80. Despite being down by 12 at the half, Jack McVeigh led the comeback with 26 points while Josh Adams added 23. Mitch Creek had 27 for the Phoenix.
More recently the teams played off twice in the preseason in Northern Tasmania. With the JackJumpers winning both games.