Game Details
Round 7, Tasmania JackJumpers (5-5) v New Zealand Breakers (6-3)
7.30pm AEDT Friday 5 November @ Launceston Silverdome
Watch LIVE on ESPN via Kayo or Foxtel
Game context
Thanks to the recent FIBA window of international basketball fixtures, its been almost two weeks since either team has played, but both will be fancy thier chances in Launceston on Friday.
Tasmania have dropped both games to the Breakers so far this season over in New Zealand, but would not want that to be 3-0 by losing on their home floor in Launceston.
They also will be looking for improve on their last performance against the Brisbane Bullets, where they fell behind by 18 at halftime before falling just short by 94-92.
Meanwhile for the Breakers, they be looking for more of the defensive effort they showed in thier last game against Tasmania. In the Round 5 clash the held the JackJumpers to just 62 points. The Breakers were in control for most of the game, but blew the game open in with a final quarter 30-12 to run out winners by 32.
Stat facts
After dropping their initial road game in overtime to United, the Breakers have won four straight on the road by an average of 16.7 points. The two biggest being a 22 point win over Illawarra and a 29 point win over Adelaide.
The JackJumpers have a 1-1 record at the Silverdome, with their sole win being over the Breakers 66-62 in March 2022.
The match will be a battle of some of the better defensive sides in the league. The Breakers are allowing a league best 75.7 points per game, while the JackJumpers are ranked 2nd allowing 80.0points per game.
Lineups
For Tasmania, there is a lot of changes to the squad. With big man Will Magnay and captain Clint Steindl making thier debuts for NBL23. Meanwhile leading scorer Milton Doyle, Matt Kenyon and Jarred Weeks have all been ruled out with injuries.
For the Breakers, they are missing French next star Rayan Rupert who is out with a broken wrist, but otherwise are full strength heading into Launceston.
What has been said
Ahead of his season debut, Clint Steindl spoke about how they will match up against the Breakers. t
“They’re playing well, they’re physical, they’ve got some guys that haveve got some pretty big motors and know what their doing,” Steindl said.
“They’re well drilled, especially defensively, I think what are they top 2 defensively in the league right now?. so that’s where they’re winning their games, we just have to find ways to punish them, I mean there is going to be weaknesses, as there is with every team, but they are plating some pretty good basketball right now.”
Meanwhile Breakers import forward Derek Pardon spoke to stuff.co.nz about how Tasmania was a tough assignment before they head home to host the Adelaide 36ers to complete round 7.
“It’s a big week, man. First and foremost we have to take care of Tasmania. They’re a hard-nosed team, we’ve played them twice already and they’re going to come with adjustments, so we have to as well. We have to be ready for the challenge,” he said.
Recent meetings 22-23
NZ Breakers 94 defeated Tasmania JackJumpers 62
Spark Arena, 30 October 2022
NZ Breakers 71 defeated Tasmania JackJumpers 65
Spark Arena, 9 October 2022