The Tasmania JackJumpers will be fresh off their first home loss of NBL24, a disappointing 90-82 loss to Melbourne United on Friday night. They have travel to Brisbane for a Sunday afternoon clash with Brisbane, their first matchup for the season.
Also playing Friday night was Brisbane, who ended their four-game losing streak by overcoming the Wildcats in Perth, their first win this season since Aron Baynes suspension.
Brisbane Bullets (3-4) v Tasmania JackJumpers (4-3)
Sunday, 4.00PM AEDT
Nissan Arena, Brisbane
What to expect
On the off-season Sam McDaniel and Isaac White both made the switch from Tassie to the Sunshine State, so expect both players to have a point to prove against thier former side. With the Bullets missing Baynes (suspenson) and Shannon Scott (injury) expect both White and McDaniel to play key roles at the defensive end in trying to stop Jordon Crawford and Milton Doyle.
The JackJumpers were the best offensive rebounding team in the league coming into Round 5 (9.3 per game) but were dominated 18-10 by United on Friday night in that category. I suspect coach Scott Roth will make this a focal point of this for all these players, especially with Baynes missing from the game. However, the Bullets may try and replicate some of the success that United had around the rim, as they may look to target Tyrell Harrison and Rocco Zikarsky in the post early on. But expect Tasmania to do the same down the other end with Marcus Lee, who is the most experienced big on the floor, and will look to ask questions of the Bullets bigs early.
Embed from Getty ImagesKey match-up
Jordan Crawford vs Nathan Sobey
This matchup is for those who love scoring. Sobey is second in the NBL for scoring at 20.9 per game, with Doyle right behind him in third in 19.7 points per game.
However after s strong start to the season Sobey has been down on his season avaergaes ocer the last three games averaging just under 16 points per game at 34% from the field. But with only one other bullet averaging above ten points this season, Sobey will need to attack the rim or find his open team mates to be in the contest in the final quarter.
At the opposite end of the spectrum, Crawford has began to find his range and guided Tasmania to some big wins in recent wins. He is averaging 23 points per game across the last 4 contests.
Embed from Getty ImagesThey said it
“I don’t know anything other than I’ll start to watch some film tomorrow, i’m going home tonight to watch one of my favoite series on tv, i’ll finish that up, then i’m just on then plane tomorrow doing my thing.
“Every game is going to be a dog fight, you’re on the road, its tough. Its going be an electric building over there [in Brisbne] in the afternoon and its fun,”
JackJumpers coach Scott Roth, speaking about the upcoming game against Brisbnae, after his team’s loss to Melbourne United.
We know what that squad’s about, you know its the perfect game to go into now, as we just want to keep getting better and these are the challenges we need. We want to be a playoff team, we have an internal expectation we can be a playoff team, so these are the doubles that we’ve got be great in.
Bullets head coach Justin Schueller, speaks after his sides’s win over the Perth Wildcats about the upcoming clash with the JackJumpers game
Roster availability
Brisbane
Aron Baynes – Suspension (Round 6)
Shannon Scott – Hamstring (Round 8)
Tasmania
Will Magnay – foot (TBC)