In the Grand final rematch, the Tasmania JackJumpers have announced to the NBL they mean business in NBL23 following an emphatic 84-76 over the Sydney Kings at Qudos Bank Arena.
After leading by as many as 14 in the final quarter, the Kings appeared to be cruising to their eleventh win of the season. But the JackJumpers never give up attitude was in full effect, forcing turnovers and defensive stops that held the Kings to just six points for the final quarter.
While at the offensive end Milton Doyle and Jack McVeigh were unstoppable, the duo combining for 18 points of the JJ’s 26 final quarter points, none bigger than Doyles step back three in the final minute to ice the game.
After the game JackJumpers Coach Scott Roth praised his playing group as a whole.
“They came in here quite scrappy and we held ourselves well enough together in the third to survive even though it wasn’t pretty. It was just a gutsy effort in the fourth quarter and the whole group was relentless. I’m quite proud of them,” he said.
“These guys continue to find value in each other, love each other and our motto always is to defend the island and play as hard as they can.”
It was a tight battle for both teams in the first half. Tasmania had forcing multiple turnovers, but were struggling to take advantage of the extra possessions. The teams were locked at 39-39 at half time.
The kings had been grinding out the game at the JackJumpers slower pace in the first half. But they were able to break out to their preferred running game in the third quarter. Derrick Walton Jnr and Xavier Cooks were finding baskets with ease, as finished off the quarter on a 11-1 run and take a 70-58 three quarter time lead.
A Will Magnay technical foul opened the final quarter and kings lead grew to 14, but it was all the JackJumpers after that. Quick buckets to Josh Magette and Sean McDonald were followed by three big triples by Jack McVeigh, with the third giving Tasmania the lead. In between all this was multiple clutch baskets from Milton Doyle, who once again brought his best for final quarter. He finished the game high scorer with 25 points six rebounds and four assists , with 5/10 three-point shooting. While McVeigh ended up going 4/9 from outside for 18 points and nine boards.
Up next
After three straight road trips in the last three rounds the JackJumpers will now enjoy five of thier next seven games at home. Beginning this Saturday 17 December with a home game against the Cairns Taipans.