Its been a frustrating holiday period for the JackJumpers fans, who despite having a series of home games, they have watched their team surrender leads late in games to the SE Melbourne Phoenix on Christmas Day and then again to New Zealand Breakers on New Years Day.
Those two games follow a rough patch for the JackJumpers, who have lost 4 of their last 5 games and has seen them slide to forth place on the NBL ladder at 10-9. A key issue across those games has giving too many opportunities from the foul line
“It is a problem, its not a one off,” JackJumpers coach Scott Roth said.
“These last 7 games for times we’ve had teams shoot 22 foul shots against us. So when teams are shooting 27, 34, I think there was a game of 29 and 22, that is just undisciplined fouling at wrong time, wrong place.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe team has been lacking an inside presence recently with injuries to Majok Deng (Ankle – 6 weeks) and Will Magnay (foot – day to day), which led to some changes to the roster on Friday. With former Sydney King big man Tom Vodanovich joining the team, with guard Junior Madut being released from the club.
But Saturday night the JackJumpers have a another opportunity at home to get their season back on track, as they take on the visiting Cairns Taipans. The JackJumpers will bolstered by the return of Will Magnay, who was passed a fitness test tis morning and is cleared to play.
The Taipans themselves have been struggling for consistency, losing games to Sydney and Perth, before a shock 17 point home victory against league leaders Melbourne United on New Years Eve.
The Taipans form is hard to read, but the JackJumpers know they like to get out and run and can put points on you quickly
“Fast paced team, they push the ball they got a lot of guys that play with a lot of confidence. They shoot the ball really well, we we just got to you know slow them down in transition and if we can get them in a half court game I think that suits us” Sean MacDonald said.
Tasmania JackJumpers (10-9) vs Cairns Taipans (9-11)
Saturday 6 January 2024 5.30PM AEDT
MyState Bank Arena, Hobart
History
There was no bigger highlight for the JackJumpers season than the last time these two teams met in November. With Jack McVeigh hitting a buzzer beater to win the game.
But MyState Bank Arena hasn’t proved too many problems for the Taipans, who have a 1-3 record in Hobart. The last time they played was the opening round of NBL23, when they wiped the JackJumpers off the floor in a 106-84 victory.
Players to watch
Jordon Crawford
The JackJumpers leading scorer (18.1 points per game) is coming off a couple of below average performances in the losses to the Phoenix (12 points) and Breakers (6 points). However, he has had trouble finding his shot, averaging 16.4 field goal attempts across the last 5 games, its just a matter of those shots to start dropping to get thier star scorer up and running again.
Embed from Getty ImagesPatrick Miller
The Taipans guard has been a focal point of thier offence, he currently lead the team in points (19.7 per game) and assists (6.1 per game). He was the difference in their win over Melbourne United on new years eve, when he finished with a game high 31 points.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe JackJumpers guard struggled to hold back the strongly-built Miller, as he worked alongside Tahjere McCall to combine for 47 points in thier only match up this season. With Tasmania’s struggles keeping opposition players from the foul line recently, expect Miller to attack the rim at any chance he gets.
Taran Armstrong
A quick mention goes out to Taipans rookie who plays his first game in his home state of Tasmania. It isn’t the team many in the crowd would be hoping for, but talented young guard will look for a big game tonight in front of family and friends.
“He’s a great kid, great family, his dad and his uncle are in our bloodlines group,” Scott Roth said.
“Every time there is a Tasmanian playing it should be a celebration in the growth of the sport so I hope he gets a well received and a lot of respect from our fans.”
Roster availability
Tasmania
Majok Deng – ankle – Round 17
Will Magnay – leg – available
Cairns
No injuries listed