The Tasmania JackJumpers will look to turn around a poor record in New Zealand, when they face the Breakers in Auckland on Saturday night.
Their tough task will is compounded with the absence of leading scorer Milton Doyle, who has returned to the United States following the sudden and unfortunate passing of his father.
Embed from Getty ImagesTasmania will hope to build on their big 35 point win over Adelaide last weekend, where they restricted the visitors to just 59 points. Coach Scott Roth is aware his team will need to bring that level of defence again, after Breakers scored 97 on them in their win over the JackJumpers in Launceston last month.
“It was probably the poorest games from beginning to end that we played. Just a lot of uncharacteristic errors and gambles on us that led to a lot of breakdowns and put us on the back foot,”
“They’re quite physical and good and tough minded and they get after you so it should be an interesting game,” he said.
Injuries have plagued the Breakers throughout NBL24, with the loss of Will McDowell-White and Zylan Cheatham leaving last grand finalists languishing in 8th place. It has also seen them uncharacteristically drop games at home, where they are 3-3 overall this season. Those losses all coming against teams outside the top 6, Brisbane, Illawarra and Adelaide. However despite their injury concerns, coach Mody Maor spoke after their loss to the SE Melbourne Phoenix about how the team is improving.
“I think we’re playing better, I think”we’re playing more connected, I think the ball is moving better, I think were creating more shots, I think we’re playing at a high level on defence. These things will lead to wins and we’ll have enough wins I hope to get to the playoffs and I don’t think anybody wants to see us when we’re healthy.” Mody Maor said.
New Zealand Breakers (4-8) vs Tasmania JackJumpers (8-5)
Saturday 9 December, 5.30PM AEDT
Spark Arena, Auckland
History
The JackJumpers have enjoyed a healthy rivalry with the Breakers across the last three seasons, highlighted in the Breakers 2-1 semi finals series victory over Tasmania last year.
Despite being a solid road team, Spark Arena hasn’t been a kind venue for the JackJumpers. They are 0-4 at the venue, with the Breakers holding them to an average of just 68 points per game, and have an average winning margin of 19 points.
Players to watch
Sean Macdonald
The JackJumpers development player had one of his best games of NBL 24 last week, scoring 15 points against the Adelaide 36ers. With Scott Roth praising the third year guard after the game.
“I think people forget that he’s a developmental player on our roster, he’s not a roster player, he’s is our next star. He is our guy that we have invested a lot of time and energy in and he continues to grow and love the work that he’s been doing he was rewarded tonight with a really good game,” Roth said.
Embed from Getty ImagesWith Milton Doyle absence, MacDonald should receive the nod in the starting five, and an increase in minutes. Roth in particularly will need McDonald’s defensive presence to help contain Parker Jackson-Cartwright and Anthony Lamb.
Anthony Lamb
When these two sides met in Launceston last month, it was Lamb who took the game away from Tasmania. The explosive guard was unstoppable in the first half with 20 points, giving the a visitors a commanding 56-47 lead that Tasmania was unable to reel in.
“He’s one of the best players in the league,” Scott Roth said.
“He’s done quite well, you know we’ve only played them once and he obviously had a very good quarter against us where he really exploded and put us on the back foot but he’s done that to some other teams,”
After Bryce Cotton (20.6ppg), Lamb (19.9ppg) and Jackson-Cartright (20ppg) round out the top three scorers in the league. This duo will both need to fire once again, as the short-handed Breakers try to stay in touch with the top 6.
Embed from Getty ImagesRoster availability
New Zealand
Justinian Jessup – pelvis (TBC)
Zylan Cheatham – foot (Round 12)
Will McDowell-White – leg (Round 12)
Tasmania
Milton Doyle – personal (TBC)