Game Details
Round 6, Perth Wildcats (3-4) vs Tasmania JackJumpers (4-4)
9.30pm AEDT Thursday 3 November @ RAC Arena, Perth
Watch LIVE on ESPN via Kayo or Foxtel
Game context
After being handed their biggest loss of the season last week by the Breakers, the JackJumpers head west to take on the Perth Wildcats.
For Tasmania its an opportunity to recapture some the form that saw them win four games straight, prior to the New Zealand trip. A win in Perth, followed up win against Brisbane on Saturday could see them sitting pretty at 6-4 heading into the two week FIBA window.
Tasmania don’t have to look back far to work out how to beat Perth, having dismantled them 103-72 in Hobart in round 4. That win was built on a strong defensive effort that shut down the Wildcats offense and put immense pressure on the ball. Forcing the Wildcats to a season high 15 turnovers.
For Perth, they will be encouraged by the Breakers dominant performance win over Tasmania on the weekend, and will look to emulate how they shut down the JackJumpers offense. But Perth also will be under huge pressure on their home floor and the red army, desperate to show some good form after having slumped to four straight losses.
The Wildcats will be looking for more from their secondary scorers outside of Bryce Cotton. Todd Blanchfield, Brady Manek and Corey Webster have all not delivered on the scoreboard quite as expected and will need them to support Cotton to grab a W against the JackJumpers.
Embed from Getty ImagesStat facts
Rebounding hasn’t been the Wildcats strong point this season, having lost every rebounding count across their first seven games. Perth are ranked last in the league averaging 31.9 rebounds per game, while allowing 38 rebounds per game (7th).
Prior to his six points on 3/14 shooting against the Breakers, the JackJumpers Rashard Kelly had seven straight games scoring at least 13 points, expect him to bounce back against the Wildcats.
Lineups
For Tasmania, development players Sean MacDonald and Isaac White will be added to the 12 man squad. They take the places of injured Will Magnay and Clint Steindl.
No announcement on the Wildcats lineup has been made yet, but they are expected to be full strength.
Embed from Getty ImagesWhat has been said
Following their loss to the Breakers, JackJumpers coach Scott Roth reflected on his teams performance so far in NBL23.
“We’re sitting 4-4 and we’ve had to me the toughest stretch of the season now is over with, October.
“At some point it was a little bit of just trying to survive October to get to where we are and im not satisfied but I’m quite relieved at least were sitting in the position we are because we ve had a hell of a month and our guys have done quite well,” he said.
At training mid week Wildcats coach John Rillie reflected on his team’s previous matchup with the JackJumpers.
“It was a poor performance last time we played them and our form since then hasn’t been great,” he said.
“So really, it’s about Perth Wildcats getting ourselves in a great frame of mind now and I would hope that we all come motivated to give a better showing than the last time we played them.”
Recent meeting
Tasmania JackJumpers 103 defeated Perth Wildcats 72
MyState Bank Arena, 22 October 2022
Perth Wildcats 83 defeated by Tasmania JackJumpers 85
RAC Arena, 26 March 2022
Tasmania JackJumpers 78 defeated by Perth Wildcats 89
MyState Bank Arena, 1 March 2022