Game Details
Round 8, Melbourne United (5-7) v Tasmania JackJumpers (5-6)
8.00pm AEDT Saturday 5 November @ John Cain Arena
Watch: ESPN via Kayo or Foxtel
Listen: Cluch Radio
Game context
The two sides are in similar positions coming into their round 8 clash in Melbourne. Both have 5 wins for the season and the both are struggling with form having lost three of thier last four. Last round an understrength Tasmania were outworked by New Zealand by 8, while United went down by 15 to thier cross-town rivals the SE Melbourne Phoenix.
Tasmania will head into the game with some confidence having won three straight against United, including winning thier only meeting this season 74-64 at John Cain Arena in September.
The JackJumpers are currently in sixth place while United find themselves down in eighth spot. Whoever wins here could consolidate a spot in the top six.
Stat facts
John Cain Arena has been a happy road trip for the JackJumpers in there short NBL existence. Tasmania boasting a 3-1 record against Melbourne United at the venue.
The venue also hasn’t paid any favors to Melbourne United this season, having only a 3-5 record as the home team. (3-6 if you include their away loss to the Phoenix at the venue).
The stats show that we could be in for a slow grinding battle tonight, with both teams giving committing a lot of fouls. Melbourne is second in the league with 19.7 per game while Tasmania is third at 19.5. Those numbers also translate to the foul line with Tasmania leading the league in opposition free throw attempts with 22.5, including 36 last week against the Breakers) and Melbourne close behind on 21.5 per contest.
Embed from Getty ImagesLineups
Tasmania once again has more changes to its lineup, with Sam McDaniel missing the game with a calf injury. He joins Matt Kenyon on the sidelines. However, Jarred Weeks and Milton Doyle will return to the team after missing last weeks game with New Zealand due to injury.
For Melbourne United, they are at full strength and will look to incorporate new 211cm import Marcus Lee into the game. Expect a great battle with Will Magnay in the post.
What has been said
After winning against Melbourne United earlier in the season, speaking with The Waterboys Milton Doyle was asked how do they beat them in Melourne again.
“We’ve been playing well on the road, so looking forward to it. We just made shots that game and we defended and played the way that the coach wants us to play on defense, we’ve just got to bring it and hopefully guys are making shots again”
The Melbourne United offense has been inconsistent season, Coach Dean Vickerman discussed offensive challenges after their loss to SE Melbourne Phoenix.
“We’ve seen it at different times, but we haven’t seen a consistency with it, so we just have to continue to teach as best we can and we’ve really simplified, we’ve hardly run any of our package”.
“We’ve just got to look at four or five things that everybody knows, we can get into this if it’s disrupted and make sure the basketball moves and we screen the right way.” Vickerman said.
NBL 22-23 Matchups
Melbourne United 64 lost to Tasmania JackJumpers 74
John Cain Arena, 16 October 2022