A huge 33 point, nine rebound performance from Milton Doyle had led the Tasmania JackJumpers to a 99-84 win over the Brisbane Bullets at Nissan Arena.
Missing several key players including Aron Baynes and Tanner Krebs, the Bullets took an double digit lead in the first quarter. But key baskets from Tasmania late in second quarter in a high scoring first half saw both teams tied at 54 a piece at half time.
But it was the was defensive effor, that we are somewhat expecting in all JackJumpers games, that changed the game. Highlighted by a 14-0 run midway through the final quarter, when Tasmania trailed 78-80, that ultimately was the difference between two sides.
“A wounded dog is dangerous and they’ve [Brisbane] got a lot of talent over there with their guards. It was a great fight in the second half by us to keep them to 30 points, ” JackJumpers Coach Scott Roth said.
Embed from Getty ImagesBut Roth was quick to point out the play of Doyle in the teams win.
“He’s quite smooth, he’s quite versatile, you know he was guarding terrifically in the second half there and he’s a quiet leader.”
“But he’s super cerebral and just playmaking kind of guard and he was fantastic tonight and you know we just had a lot of guys chip in just enough to get things done,” Roth said.
Magnay returns to Brisbane
Another player who was getting things done was Will Magnay, who played his first game in Brisbane since leaving the Bullets in 2020 for an opportunity pursue an opportunity in the NBA. In just his third game back from a major knee injury, Magnay had his best game scoring 10 points and five rebounds in his 15 minutes on court.
“It’s more just conditioning than anything and finding my feet. Late game being able to catch some lobs and know that my legs are there late game,” Magnay said.
“Rhythm is slowly coming back and getting used to playing with Milt [Doyle], who is a very, very good player, dynamic passer and can just sort of put me in positions to be successful.”
Embed from Getty ImagesRoth also praised the long rad of work of Magnay i=ha put in to being fit and getting back on court.
“He’s had a heck of a 10 months to come back and do what he’s done and i’m quite proud of the work he’s put in and the effort that he’s shown. To come back home to where he is and play that kind of game just speaks volumes about this kid and yeah love him to death.”
The JackJumpers also had key contributions from Jack McVeigh (10 points, 7 rebounds), Josh Magette (13 points) and Clint Steindl (11 points).
For the undermanned Bullets, they were led by Nathan’s Sobey’s 20 points. The Bullets started off with a very physical game, out-rebounding and outscoring the JackJumpers around the paint in ftechrst half , but late adjustments by Tasmania on the inside by Magnay Rashard Kelly and McVeigh helped bring the game on on level terms.
Next up
The Jackjumpers head to Sydney to play the Kings on Sunday afternoon at 4PM AEDT. This is their first meeting of NBL23
