Down by as much as 17 points, Milton Doyle led the JackJumpers to back to defeat the Adelaide 36ers 86-82 at the NBL Blitz, to remain undefeated at the tournament.
Doyle starred for JackJumpers with 19 points, seven assists and five rebounds. While Jack McVeigh put in another strong pre-season performance with 13 points and six rebounds and new recruits Antony Drmic and Majork Deng both had 11 points.
Coming into the game the Sixers were reeling from two heavy defeats at the Blitz, which led to the reports they were departing with import Jamaal Franklin. In addition, the Sixers were only fielding nine players, with injuries to Jacob Wiley (calf), Trey Kell (knee) and Jason Cadee (finger).
The JackJumpers were full strength minus Will Magnay (foot), but elevated Fabian Krslovic and Clint Steindl to the starting five for the first time at the Blitz.
But the short-handed Sixers put in their best performance of the Blitz. Keeping the new look JackJumpers starting five scoreless for the opening four minutes as they jumped out to 25-16 quarter time lead.
Despite the lead being extended out to 17 during the second quarter, JackJumpers Coach Scott Roth didn’t panic, as he continued spreading the minutes out to his full squad. After fouling out in both previous matches, Marcus Lee was tested in his new role off the bench. His pick and roll game with Doyle has been improving with each game, the two giving the gold coast fans another highlight play.
But some late baskets from Milton Doyle helped reduce the halftime deficit to 11, Sixers leading 44-33
It had been a poor shooting half for the JackJumpers, shooting at 39% from the field, and just 25% from outside. They also only had four free throw attempts compared, compared to the Sixers 12.
Big third quarter bring Tassie back into the game
But as we have seen many times, the JackJumpers were not done yet. They came out firing in the second half, led by Doyle and McVeigh they slowly wore down the lead with high percentage shots and getting to the foul line. They doubled their halftime score from 33 to 66, and finished the quarter on a 14-4 run to lead the sixers by three with a quarter to go.
The teams played a competitive final quarter, with the lead changing hands four times. But it was the JackJumpers who were able to hold on, not surprisingly the offence ran through Doyle, as he hit a number of clutch baskets to clinch the 86-82 win.
Despite getting the win, there will be plenty of questions for JackJumpers coaching staff to review, in particular some of the shot selections in the second half.
That result seems them remain undefeated at the Blitz after picking up wins against the South East Melbourne Phoenix and New Zealand Breakers. They finish the Blitz in third place behind Melbourne United and the Perth Wildcats, who scored more points by winning more quarters.
For Adelaide there was plenty to be happy about after a disastrous opening two games to the Blitz. With two imports still to come back from injury and another import spot vacant, they have a lot room to improve, but it happened a week out from season tip off is far from ideal.
The JackJumpers mind now switches to the season opener next Friday night against the Perth Wildcats at Perth Arena. Both teams have looked strong across the pre-season and shoudl provide a great opening round clash.
TASMANIA JACKJUMPERS 86 (Doyle 19, McVeigh 13, Drmic 11, Deng 11)
ADELAIDE 36ERS 82 (Smith-Milner 21, McCarron 16, Dech 14)
Game notes
- Walter Brown once again did not see any time on court, it was his second straight DNP
- Clint Steindl started the game but was seen struggling with a leg injury, he has seen limited action across te pre season for Tasmania.
