Game Details
Round Two, Tasmania JackJumpers (0-3) vs Brisbane Bullets (0-2)
2pm AEDT Sunday 9 October @ MyState Bank Arena, Hobart
Watch: ESPN, 10 Peach, 10 Play and Kayo
Listen: on Cluch Radio
Game context
Both teams had high expectations for NBL23, but one team will remain winless after round 2.
Tasmania will be hoping big turnaround from their home opener on Monday night, where they gave up 106 points and a 22 point loss to the Cairns Taipans in front of their home fans. Since that game they have been to New Zealand where despite an improved performance, ultimately went down 71-65 to the Breakers.
For the Bullets, they have opened their season on the road with losses to Perth and Sydney. A win in Hobart would be a great lead-in to their home opener against Sydney next weekend.
Without doubt the biggest issue for the JackJumpers (quite literally) will be how they handle 208cm Aron Baynes. With Will Magnay still sidelined, Tasmania has used Rashard Kelly, Fab Krslovic and Jarred Bairstow to handle opposition bigs so far.
Scott Roth has elected to keep Kelly on the bench, arguably their best post defender, but in the past two games opposition bigs have started well in the first quarter.
Against the Breakers, Jarell Brantley scored seven of the teams first 12 points in the opening five minutes. While against Cairns, Keanu Pinder scored 6 of the teams first 8 points in the first 5 minutes. You would expect the Bullets to throw it to Baynes in the post from the opening possession, so the question remains if Roth will change his starting five.
Brisbane coach James Duncan has a deep roster this season and has spread the minutes around in their opening two games. With nobody has playing more than 30 minutes. This is in part due to Nathan Sobeys return from injury, where is on a minutes restrictions.
Their depth also extends to outside shooting, in which they rank 2nd in the NBL in three points attempted per game (32.5) and percentage (42%). This was highlighted on Friday night’s loss to Sydney, where despite losing they with seven players connecting from outside on 46% shooting.
This will be the first time Brisbane have played at MyState Bank Arena since Round 1 of 2022/23, where the JackJumpers famously won their first game as a franchise.
Lineups
Tasmania will be without Will Magnay and Clint Steindl due to long term injuries. Sam McDaniel will be decided closer to the gametime with a rib injury, noting he did not travel to New Zealand for the game against the Breakers. However, as its a home game, the JackJumpers will be able to play its whole squad, as opposed to the 12 players allowed for away games.
Brisbane will be at full strength, however Nathan Sobey is on minutes restriction as he returns from injury.
What has been said
Following the loss in New Zealand, Scott Roth addressed how they are improving as a group.
“We played a bit better in some areas and cleaned up some things. So I think those things are hugely important to us to make sure we’re growing in the right ways.””JackJumpers coach Scott Roth said.
“We were a little more disciplined and there’s a tremendous amount of growth with this group.”
Following their loss on Friday night against Sydney, Nathan Sobey also discussed how his team is growing with each game.
“We’re only just getting started and there’s a lot of potential in what we can do.”
“We’ve shown signs but we’ve just got to keep progressing,” he said.
Last time they met
Tasmania JackJumpers 84 d Brisbane Bullets 82
26 March 2022, Round 17, Nissan Arena
Having split the season 1-1, Tasmania came to Brisbane a day after beating the Wildcats in Perth. Tasmania were chasing an unlikely playoff spot, while Brisbane were all but out of the race.
The JackJumpers started the game strong, leading 24-16 at the first break, then extended the lead to 12 later in the first half. But a flurry of scoring by Robert Franks and Robert Patterson reduced the lead to two at the main break.
The match remained close until a run of points at the end of the 3rd, combined with seven straight points in the forth, saw the lead stretch to 74-60. But some late long range shooting by Jason Cadee and Anthony Drmic had them down by a point with three seconds to play. A foul send Clint Steind to line, where he hit his first and deliberely missed his second to snuff out any Bullets last shot heroics.