We are set for top of the table clash in Hobart on Friday night when the Tasmania JackJumpers (4-2) host ladders Melbourne United (6-1).
Tasmania JackJumpers vs Melbourne United
Friday, 7.30PM AEDT
MyState Bank Arena, Hobart
Tasmania is coming into this game after arguably its strongest performance of the season, following a 105-95 road win against the Sydney Kings. The win impressing Kings part-owner Andrew Bogut who labelled the JackJumpers as championship favourites earlier this week, whether that is praise for Tassie or a diversion from his team’s poor form remains to be seen.
Melbourne United quietly had two wins last round, firstly in Illawarra and then backed up at home against the NZ Breakers to remain on top of the ladder at 6-1. With their solitary loss for this year coming against the JackJumpers at John Cain Arena on 8 October.
Embed from Getty ImagesCan Tasmania get past the NBL’s best defence
Melbourne United will be looking to avenge their loss the JackJumpers on round 3, where United were in control for the majority of the game only to be overrun by the JackJumpers, and more specifically Milton Doyle, 27-14 in the final quarter.
But despite Melbourne having a 3-7 record against Tasmania, they are 2-2 In matches at MyState Bank Arena, including winning their last matchup in January, when Marcus Lee’s 22 point 10 rebound performance led United to the 92-85 win.
But a lot has changed in that time, including Marcus Lee now wearing the green and yellow of the JackJumpers. With Will Magnay still on the sidelines and Lee may be a target for his former team. The JackJumpers starting centre has struggling with foul trouble throughout NB24, United may look toward their twin towers of Ariel Hukpori and Jo Lual Acuil to get Lee on the sidelines early, then look to dominate inside the paint
United have the best defence in the NBL right now, and will look to do what no other teams have been able to do yet, shut down Milton Doyle and Jordan Crawford. The duo currently contribute 39.3 of Tasmania’s 91.3 points per game. Limiting their touches could go a long way to picking up a key road victory, while Tasmania will be looking at their rest of their squad to provide their support on the offensive end.
For Melbourne, they spread their scoring out across the team, with 7 players averaging over 9 points per game.
Key stats
The game features two of the leagues premier defensive teams, with Melbourne leading NBL in defensive efficiency. They also allow their opponents to score the fewest points per game in NBL at 79.9, while Tasmania sit right behind them in second place allowing 83.7 points per game.
Key match-up
Jordan Crawford vs Shai Illi
A couple of rounds ago the Milton Doyle vs Chris Goulding would have been the clear key matchup here. However, the rise of Jordan Crawford will create a double headache for United. With Goulding likely to take Doyle and their best defensive stopper Matthew Dellavedova missing the game with concussion, Shae Illi will step up to try shut down Crawford.
Embed from Getty ImagesCrawford has averaged 25.3 point per game since these two teams met in Round 2. meanwhile Illi has made the most of his extended minutes with Dellavedova on the sidelines averaging 13.3 points just 6.7 assists across his last three games.
They said it
“[They’re] coming off a great win against Sydney and you know showed how potent they can be offensively,”
“They’re going to be super tough at home, they are the only team that’s beaten us so far and hopefully we’ve learnt enough lessons to go down there and make some changes.” Melbourne United coach Dean Vickerman
“We’ve got some strengths that we believe in and we’ve got to be able to counter what they (Melbourne United) bring out. You know matter what’s been thrown at us, as I said earlier it’ll be a chess match,” JackJumpers Assistant Coach Mark Radford.
Roster availability
Melbourne
Matthew Dellavedova – concussion (Round 6)
Tasmania
Will Magnay – foot (TBC)