First season, first finals series, first grand final.
Its a series of events that a new sporting franchise would love to achieve in its first five years, but to do it year one is almost unheard. But that’s where we are with the Tasmania JackJumpers after they defeated Melbourne United 76-73 to win the semi-finals series 2-1 in Melbourne.
They were a team that few people thought at this point of the season would be well into their off season. Coaching staff should be planning for the free agency season, looking at who will they try bring back for season two.
Now the coaching staff are planning for best of five grand final series against the Sydney Kings.
Josh Adams steps up
Josh Adams was the hero for Tasmania in game three and may very well of played himself into a second year contract after dropping 30 points in the win. Tasmania’s leading scorer had been well held to 11 points per game through the series by Melbourne. Coach Scott Roth said post-game that Adams was due for a big game.
“I was hoping all along in the last game or two he was going to break out at some point, he wasn’t quite there. You know he had some frustrations going on here or there,” Scott Roth said.
“He just came out on fire in the second half and we just continued to go to him.”
Melbourne start strong
Adams was looking for a big game from the outset but had his struggles in the opening quarter going scoreless. Melbourne were looking the far more comfortable team from the opening tipoff, opening a 9-2 lead. But the game didn’t get away from the JJ’s, they forced multiple turnovers, crashed the glass and opened a three point lead following a 12-2 run.
Despite losing sharpshooter Chris Goulding through injury earlier in the day, Melbourne United still found ways to score. Caleb Agada, Jack White and Shae Illi were all were able to score close to the basket to give the home team a 25-21 at quarter time.
The pace of the game slowed down in the second quarter, the slow grinding style suited Tasmania’s game. Scoring was down but Tasmania edged their way back into the game. Josh Adams put his jump shot away and began to attack the basket. I initially was just getting to the line, but it was enough to get him started. Jack McVeigh and MiKyle McIntosh also were proving reliable options offensivly.
Jo Lual-Acuil was a contest target for Melbourne offensively, but we being well handed by the rotating list of Tassie bigs. He threated at times to break the game open, as he did in game one, but Tasmania wore him down with an aggressive and physical game play. Both sides were locked at 40 at the half, which seemed a fair result of a from a tough first half.
Tasmania take control
The second half belonged to Josh Adams who put the team on his back and try get them the win. He scored 10 straight for Tasmania, including two 3’s, midway through the term to give them a 55-46 lead. But it the also the defense that was causing Melbourne the most problems. They had only scored 6 points in the opening seven and a half minutes. For all their dominace of the quarter Tasmania didn’t quite capitalize enough. Melbourne found some late baskets to reduce the lead to 6 going into the final term.
The JackJumpers great worked appeared to unravel with Melbourne retaking the lead with seven minutes remaining, including 7 points to Lual-Acuil. But Adams retook the lead on the following play and they held on until the end. Stronger defensive efforts from both a sides saw some spectacular plays and desperate rebounds by both sides, including huge threes by Josh Magette
Big. Bucket. Josh. Magette.
— NBL (@NBL) May 2, 2022
Good timing for your first three of the night.#NBLFinals on @ESPNAusNZ + @kayosports pic.twitter.com/EhfAkiD22l
And then what appeared to be the the game sealer by Adams.
JOSH ADAMS. TASMANIA JACKJUMPERS. ABSOLUTE SCENES#NBLFinals on @ESPNAusNZ + @kayosports pic.twitter.com/p3yP0gfSSN
— NBL (@NBL) May 2, 2022
But two late baskets and multiple offensive rebounds by Melbourne’s Jack White kept them in the game until the closing seconds.
For Tasmania, the win is another chapter in the fairytale season for the new franchise. With the final chapter to begin on Friday against the Sydney Kings.
MELBOURNE UNITED 73 (Ili 18, Lual-Acuil 16, White 14)
TASMANIA JACKJUMPERS 76 (Adams 30, McVeigh 16, Magette 9)
Tasmania wins best-of-three series 2-1
LOCK IT IN 🔒
— NBL (@NBL) May 2, 2022
The @HungryJacksAU #NBL22 Grand Final is set. The @SydneyKings and @JackJumpers will battle it out for the Championship 🏆
It all begins on Friday night #NBLFinals pic.twitter.com/XiJj6PYqKq
