Tasmania get hot up north in win over Taipans

The Tasmania JackJumpers are a step closer to booking some post season action following a scrappy and heated 94-86 win over the Taipans at the Cairns Convention Centre.

Both teams were coming off recent losses and needing a win to see them extend their NBL seasons. Tasmania to try lock in a third place spot, while the Tapians were trying to break into the top 6. The two sides battled it out an even first half, but their styles of play couldn’t have been further apart. Tasmania playing a slow and methodical offence that looked for the open man on the three point line, while the Taipans ran a fast and junked up offence that kept the JackJumpers guessing of where the shots were coming from.

The imports for both sides starred early, with Jordon Crawford having the hot hand connecting on several threes for Tasmania to keep the scoreboard ticking over, while Tahjeer McCall and Patrick Miller were carrying the offensive load for Cairns. The visitors held a narrow 45-44 lead at the end of the first half.

The JackJumpers were not shy to launch away from the three point line, with 35 of thier 73 field goal attempts coming from outside. It paid dividends in the third quarter with two early threes from Crawford, and end with a half court basket by Sean MacDonald on the buzzer to open a 10 point lead.

Despite a late fightback by the Taipans, Tasmania always had the answers with Doyle and Steindl both hitting multiple key baskets and kept the lead in double digits for the majority of the final quarter. The win was their second in Cairns for NBL 24, as they swept the Taipans in the 3-0 series.

“It’s always good when you can get a road win, especially in this league where everyone is fighting for something,” Jordon Crawford said.

“So great job to everybody across the board, from the coaching staff to everyone who came in and contributed it was a big win for us.”

Key stats

15 three pointers made – With just under half the overall field goals coming from outside, it seemed the plan coming in was to exploit the Taipans extended defence. But all game long they were able to make the extra pass and find the open shooter, which led them to shooting 42% from three. Clint Steindl in particular executed his role to perfection, coming off screens and getting open in the corners to shoot a perfect 4/4 from outside

Positives

Overall it was a return of Jackies basketball that we saw earlier in the season. With both Jordon Crawford (25 points, 5 assists) and Milton Doyle (17 points, 10 rebounds, 7 assists) both firing and forcing the defense to make some tough decisions. Their play also freed up secondary scores such as Jack McVeigh, McDonald, and Steindl to also hit shots.

Negatives

A late hit by Taj McCall on Will Magnay ribs has soured what was a great road win by Tasmania.

The incident in the forth quarter followed an altercation between Magnay and Patrick Miller in the first half.

Although there is no official update on his condition Scott Roth indicated this is something the JackJumpers have raised with the NBL previously.

“I don’t believe he’ll probably be out at all,” Scott Roth said.

“I think it’s more just a shot to the stomach and the sternum and just the wind knocked out of him. He’ll probably be quite sore.”

“I’m sure the league is going to take a very hard look at that.

“We’ve had a few discussions over the last few weeks especially with Magnay and his presence rolling down the lane and some people kind of targeting him a little bit.”

Next up

The Tasmania Jackjumpers (13-12) return home to face the Adaldie 36ers (10-14) on Sunday afternoon at MyState Bank Arena