11 Angry Ants: The JackJumpers will be stung by their loss to the Taipans after a three game winning streak. The Sixers are now breathing down their thoraxes in what looms as a pivotal result for finals positioning later in the season - Photo credit to news.com/NBL/The Mercury
Please continue to support SA basketball news and features content being written as well as national/international with the Pick and Roll – with our recent influx of work we are making content all free to read again but need constant contributions to make this happen. If not keen to subscribe then please message to receive direct debit details
4-Minute Read
NBL ROUND 11
Adelaide 36ers vs Tasmania JackJumpers
When: 7:00pm (ACDT), Monday 19 December
Where: Adelaide Entertainment Centre – The Ken Cole-seum
Broadcast: Kayo Freebies, ESPN, www.nbl.com.au
LTTM: Adelaide 36ers 72 (Randall 18, Franks 14, Cleveland 10, Dech 8) defeated by Tasmania JackJumpers 97 (Magette 23, Kelly 19, Doyle 16, McVeigh 12, Weeks 11, White 9) at Adelaide Entertainment Centre
SWOOP BACK IN HISTORY
Checkout the footage of an old matchup between the Adelaide 36ers and the Hobart Devils featuring some legendary names for both sides.
Key Matchups
Mitch McCarron vs Josh Magette
McCarron once again will have the enviable task of containing the dangerous matchup of Magette. Last time they met he had 6 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists. We’ve seen him be more aggressive in recent times so expect that to be a little more at the other end of the floor for Magette to deal with.
Magette responded to some stinging criticism the last time they met with 23 points including five of eight triples and dished 7 assists in a match winning performance. He got the JackJumpers off to a 0-9 start in the match and set the tone from the start- no doubt he’ll be looking to repeat the performance.
Robert Franks vs Rashard Kelly
Franks is hitting strong form at the right time after a huge 25 point and 6 rebound game. Last time out he had 14 points in his first home game – but his opponent had the better of him.
And if Rashard Kelly gets away with his 19 points at 70 percent and 6 rebounds again – The Sixers will have headaches once again. His third and fourth quarter were crucial last time they met scoring 14 points in the second half.
Kai Sotto vs Will Magnay
DJ is touch and go for this one tonight so Sotto may get his second start – his game Saturday night was encouraging. 13 points and 8 rebounds was great at the offensive end but he looked better defensively against a Bullets team that refused to go inside. We’ll see if he can shape up against Magnay tonight
It’s great to see Magnay finally getting back to his pre- injury form. He’s an important piece for the Tassie team providing height and rim protection they do lack against the bigger sides. An aggressive Magnay could be a real issue for the Sixers tonight
THREE QUESTIONS TO SWOOP ON
We’ve seen the matchups but who’s the biggest problem for the Sixers tonight?
Milton Doyle has the capability of pulling this game apart at both ends – the silent assassin with those Mee like qualities.
How important is the start tonight?
It played a huge part in the past not only the time they met but also this season – the Sixers have lost six games when trailing at quarter time in NBL23…
How do you out “Jackjumper” the Jackjumpers?
The Taipans managed to out rebound, out energise and got to the free throw line 22 times on Saturday night. Thats the key areas to dominate this team by taking them away from their strengths of not being able to play high tempo defence. 19 assists tells you the amount of movement the Taipans invested in as well.
So who wins?
The Sixers will be buoyed by their victory Saturday night and the Jackjumpers will be angry for dropping that game to Cairns on the same night – I think the Sixers can show a bit more grit defensively and as CJ said not have those lapses.
Not too many better tests than Tassie when it comes to your defensive intensity and how it holds up in NBL23. Tonight’s game will tell us a lot already about how far they’ve come…
COD Prediction: 36ers by 5 points
Catch all the action tonight at the arena on Cluch Radio with Tristan “TP” Prentice and our special comments guest whether you’re at the game or watching from home
CROSS OVER DRIBBLE 