The Tasmania JackJumpers (3-2) head to the harbour city for arguably the most anticipated game for Round 5 of NBL 24, as they take on the reigning champion Sydney Kings (4-1)
Sydney Kings vs Tasmania JackJumpers
Sunday, 4.00PM AEDT
Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney
After facing four games over the last two rounds, the JackJumpers have enjoyed a full week off before their clash with the Kings in the Sydney. They are coming off a heartbreaking 86-85 loss to the South East Melbourne Phoenix where they were labelled “a little bit soft” by Assistant Coach Jarrad Weeks, and are expected to come back hard against the Kings.
The Kings are also coming off a week long break after a successful round four, where they first defeated the Brisbane Bullets on the road and then had a comfortable win at home over the Perth Wildcats.
Embed from Getty ImagesCan Tasmania stop the NBL’s most potent offence?
The JackJumpers will come in to the game with some confidence, handing out the Kings only loss this season in round two. However this new-look Kings team has found thier rhythm in recent games and have looked impressive at the offensive end, and lead the league in points per game (97.8)
What has made them dangerous is their offensive options on the floor, they are led by Jaylen Adams (20.2 points per game) but have five other players who are averaging over 10 points per game.
The Kings prefer the game to be at a fast pace, they look to get out and run at every opportunity and not let the defence get set. Which is the opposite of JackJumper basketball, who have a strong defensive game and an offence that goes through hands, well structured and dlooking fo thehigh percentage shot.
It was a battle of these styles that ultimately was won by the JackJumpers in round two. They held the Kings to a season low 72 points and ground out a win. They will have confidence in doing it again, but will need big games from their big three Milton Doyle (19.4 ppg), Jordon Crawford (18 ppg) and Jack McVeigh (16.4 ppg) to keep up with the Kings.
Key stats
Expect a lot of shots going up from outside, with the two sides being the top three point shooting team in the league.
Sydney lead the league in attempts per game in 34.8 and Tasmania is second in 32.0. However Tasmania makes the most 3 pointers in the NBL (12.8 per game at 38.1%), just ahead of Sydney (12.0 per game at 34.5%)
Key match-up
Milton Doyle vs Jaylen Adams
There are intriguing matchups across the floor, but its hard to go past two of the NBL’s early MVP candidates.
Embed from Getty ImagesDespite the history between these two teams, the round two matchup was the first time Doyle and Adams had faced each other. Tasmania held Adams well in the first half, restricting him to just 3 points. But he threatened to snatch the game away with 18 second half points with Tasmania having little answers of how to stop him.
Which is a similar storyline many NBL teams have had for Milton Doyle, particular in forth quarters. So if the game is close, expect some big time performances and clutch buckets from two of the NBLs premier guards.
They said it
“The battle to control the tempo of the game is going to be massive. I think we dia great job of it last time we kept them in the 70s….if we allow them to be free and get up and down, play at their speed its going to be a rough night for us.,” JackJumpers forward Fabian Krslovic
“[The keys to winning on Sunday are] being committed to defence for the full 40 minutes and not letting them out rebound us,” Jaylen Galloway said.
“Any win in this competitive league is a good win, so another win [against a strong tam like Tasmania] would keep our morale high moving forward.”
Roster availability
Sydney
DJ Hogg – shoulder (TBC)
Sam Timmins – calf (TBC)
Tasmania
Will Magnay – foot (TBC)