Game Details
Round 13, Sydney Kings (12-5) v Tasmania JackJumpers (10-8)
7.30pm AEDT Friday 30 December @ Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney
Watch: ESPN via Kayo/Foxtel
Listen: Cluch Radio
Game context
“We limited ourselves with some of the obnoxiously dumb turnovers we had” ;
“We just suck in the fourth quarter – we’re soft”; and
“Defensively we were trash all night.”
This is is how Sydney Kings coach Chase Buford described his side’s round 10 loss to the JackJumpers, after giving up a double digit lead in the forth quarter to be overrun 84-76 by Tasmania.
However there will be no Buford on the sidelines for their rematch with the JackJumpers, after he was suspended for one match following his behavior in Kings loss the Phoenix on 18 December.
MVP candidate Xavier Cooks will be the X factor in the game. Despite averaging 16.1 points, he was held to just 12 points on 10 total shots in their round 10 loss to the JackJumpers. They crowded Cooks around the paint, limiting his touches, and were quick to provide help defense once he got the ball.
They will look to get him the ball earlier in the offense to help him create, but also expect Will Magnay to have a big say in stopping Cooks impact on the offensive end. Magnay has improved with each game since returning from a significant knee injury and returning to one of the premier rim protectors the NBL.
Stat facts
The clash of styles is evident in the scoring number for both team. The Kings fast paced offense leads the NBL in points per game with 92.4, but come 9th in the league in 3 pointers attempted with 26.1. In comparison, Tasmania preference of holding onto the ball and run offensive sets seems them average 83.8 points per game (9th) and take 30.4 three point attempts a night (2nd).
Embed from Getty ImagesLineups
For the JackJumpers they are still without Tasmania will be without guards Sam McDaniel and Matt Kenyon, who are both overcoming calf injuries.
The Kings will be at full strength.
What has been said
Ahead of the clash, JackJumpers coach reflected on his team’s win in Sydney earlier in December.
“One of the things I have been trying to establish since one is the fight of this team and something Tasmanians expect, whether we are winning or losing. The fight was fantastic there, we were down 12 or 14 there at the beginning of the forth. But just kept grinding it out and so I’m more just proud of the fight of the team”, he said.
Following the Kings win over Melbourne United on Christmas Day, Kings forward Jordan Hunter discussed their poor forth quarters – which was an issue against their last matchup against the JackJumpers.
“It’s probably just a mindset thing and you can get a bit complacent if you’re rolling, and we keep the keep the talk going and making sure the game’s never over until its over. We want to go into those forth quarters especially with a nil-all mentality and that seems to help,” he said.
Embed from Getty ImagesNBL 22-23 Matchups
After going half the season waiting for a Grand Final rematch, the teams will clash for the 2nd time in four weeks. In there only previous matchup the Kings were in control for three quarters of the game. but a 26-6 final quarter by Tasmania saw them snatch a 84-76 win over the Kings.