The Tasmania JackJumpers will look to make it two from two in round two, as they head to Melbourne to take on United, where they have a very strong record against the hosts.
Melbourne United v Tasmania JackJumpers
Sunday, 2PM AEDT
John Cain Arena, Melbourne
Fresh from their opening win of NBL24 over the Sydney Kings on Friday night, the Tasmania JackJumpers didn’t have long to celebrate before heading to Melbourne the following day to prepare for Sunday’s clash with United.
This will be the United’s only game of the round two. They opened the season with a Throwdown win over their cross-town rivals South East Melbourne Phoenix and followed up with a road win over the 36ers.
This will be a strong test for both sides who have ambitions of post season success, it has the makings of being a “statement game” for both sides to the rest of the NBL. Both teams possess strong offensive games, however with both adding offensive power in the off-season, Melbourne adding Matthew Dellavadova, Ian Clarke and Luke Travers, while Tasmania adding Jordon Crawford, Majok Deng, Junior Madut, its set to be a facilitating and entertaining match-up.
Defensive battle looming
Both sides have traditionally focused their efforts on the defensive end. So its no surprise that United’s wins so far have come from suffocating thier opposition so far at the offensive end in thier wins over the Phoenix (67 points) and the Sixers (74 points).
Tasmania uncharacteristically had 101 put on them in a round one shoot out with Perth, where they played right into the Wildcats high octane offensive game. But things returned to normal by game two, where the JackJumpers held the reigning champs Kings to just 74 points.
Key stats
5-1 – Tasmania’s record against United in Melbourne.
Tasmania has always performed well against united, with an overall 7-3 record since joining the league in 2021. But its their record in Melbourne that is quite staggering, with thier only loss coming in Game 1 of the NBL Semi Finals series of the 21-22 series. Its the game that we’ll often forget, as it often is overshadowed (and rightly so) by the JackJumpers game 3 win four days later in Melbourne that catapulted them into the Grand final serious
Key match-up
Marcus Lee vs Ariel Hukporti
Outside of the many guard battles that will be going on across the game, its the battle inside that will be fascinating to watch.
With Jo Lual-Acuil out for a few more weeks, Next Star Ariel Hukporti is having extended time in the middle and make his push for a larger role. So far he has done everything asked of him, particularly on the defensive end, where he is averaging 8.5 points, 12 rebounds and 4.5 blocks across the opening two games.
Embed from Getty ImagesMeanwhile Marcus Lee is still finding his place on the JackJumpers lineup, and is coming a disappointing game Friday night due to foul trouble. Lee played just eight minutes against the Kings due to 4 early fouls, and no doubt will be wanting to put in a big effort against United.
The two were teammates at Melbourne United last season, and no doubt will both enjoy the challenge of going up against each other for the first time on opposing sides.
Embed from Getty ImagesQuotes
“They’re a wonderful team, outstanding coach and they’ve got great players over there. You know you have your hands full in this league period, but when you go on the road its very difficult to win games and they have got size and athletic ability and tough minded guys, you know expecting a dog fight,:” JackJumpers head coach Scott Roth on Melbourne United.
“With Crawford you know they are playing a bit faster, Majok Deng, Junior Madut, they want to get out and run, shoot threes and so. Makes them dangerous in transition, maybe a little bit more than they had been in the past and they’ve still got McVeigh and Doyle that are high execution guys and of course going against Marcus Lee for the first time you know will be a good challenge as well,” United Coach Dean Vickerman said
Roster availability
Tasmania
Will Magnay – foot (return Round 4)
Melbourne
Jo Lual-Acuil Jr – wrist (TBC)