A poor run of form has Tasmania JackJumpers coach Scott Roth worried his team will slip into the “abyss” unless they turn around their performance on the defensive end.
Roth made the comments after Tasmania’s 5 point home loss to the New Zealand Breakers, their fourth loss in their last five games.
“We’re digging ourselves a hole that we might not ever get out of to be quite honest with you,” Roth said.
“We could flip this around if we have enough grit and toughness to do it or we could slip into the abyss at the rate we’re going.
Despite out rebounding the Breakers and knocking down 16 three pointers, Tasmania couldn’t match the New Zeeland’s play around the rim. Highlighted by the visitors outscoring Tasmania 50-34 in the paint and getting to the foul like 34 times compared to Tasmania’s 9.
“This is not how these games need to go and as a team we’re all pissed, and we’re trying to change this real quickly,” JackJumpers Centre Marcus Lee said after the game, who had 14 points and 13 rebounds in the game.
“You’ll see this attitude that won’t change at all, we’ll keep working hard and battling each day, and if they’ll call fouls like that we won’t stop being aggressive. We just need to find a way to finish those games out.”
The loss to the Breakers sees Tasmania fall to forth on the NBL ladder with a 10-9 record. But with just 9 games remaining, their hopes of a top-two finish and direct entry to the semi-finals are quickly slipping away.
But Roth is hopeful this mid-season slump is just the test for his squad and how they handle the adversity.
“I think some of the adversity is actually really, really good not only for the players but everyone involved.
“I’ll be excited to see what kind of character with our guys and what kind of grit we do have. I thought we played hard but we were just unable to make the right plays and finish off plays,” he said.
Doyle and Crawford looking to bounce back
Tasmania’s recent 1-4 record in December and January has coincided with a drop in performance of star players Milton Doyle and Jordon Crawford. After returning to the United States for a personal matter Doyle hasn’t quite recaptured the form that made him a leading MVP candidate earlier in the season. Doyle went from averaging 16.6 points and 4.7 assists per game across his first 13 games, to 12 points and 4.0 assists a contest across the last 5 games, with his shooting numbers also dropping.
Similarly Crawford had really started putting some impressive numbers up as Tasmania were on a roll, averaging 19.1 points and 4 .1 rebounds in the opening 15 games. But those numbers have declined to 15 points and 2.2 assists per game across the last 4 matches. Add to those number injuries to Majok Deng and Will Magnay, its been a tough couple of weeks for the JJ’s
Cairns up next for Tasmania
But the JackJumpers will get a big of opportunity to steer clear of the abyss this Saturday, with an important home game against the Cairns Taipans (9-11). The snakes will be looking to continue their hot form after a big win over ladder leading Melbourne United, and also have some additional confidence having won their last two encounters with Tasmania at MyState Bank Arena.
