WITH THE National Basketball League (NBL) getting closer to the end of the home and away season, Friday night’s clash between the Tasmania JackJumpers and the Adelaide 36ers could be vital in deciding the top six.

Both sides have had strong patches of form throughout the season, but in the race for a top six spot, each game from here carries heavy significance in how the ladder will look. With just four rounds to go until the regular season is wrapped up, tonight’s matchup could decide which of these sides keep their championship hopes alive.

Tasmania JackJumpers vs. Adelaide 36ers

MyState Bank Arena
Friday, January 10

THE TEAMS

The JackJumpers were one of the form teams of the NBL for a while, going on an eight-game winning streak, the biggest in their club history. It was broken by the SEM Phoenix at home last Sunday, before the Illawarra Hawks made it two losses on the trot for the reigning champions on Tuesday. The loss of Will Magnay was huge for Tassie, but the recent season-ending injury to Sean Macdonald has made the JackJumpers’ title defence extremely difficult. Macdonald’s return from being sidelined for the start of the fixture was the turning point in Tasmania’s season, but his absence may put its finals hopes in jeopardy.

The 36ers have had their ups and downs throughout the season, having looked unstoppable at times, but also finding themselves on the wrong end of some blowout losses. Adelaide’s imports have been extremely productive, and the team as a whole has been extremely damaging in their home games. However, Friday’s matchup will be across the Bass Strait, so it will be a good test for this team heading towards the finals.

LAST TIME THEY MET

These two sides clashed back in November, and it was the JackJumpers who got the job done by four points, handing the Sixers their first loss at Adelaide Entertainment Centre in over two years. It was a performance that was built on excellent defensive pressure and an all-around team display from the JackJumpers, although player of the match Magnay will be missing this time around which could prove costly.

KEY PLAYERS

For the first time in his NBL career, Milton Doyle did not record a field goal in the loss to the Hawks a few days ago. He shot 0/9 from the field and registered just one point for the match, although he did contribute in other ways with 10 rebounds and seven assists. With the loss of Macdonald, Doyle will need to be a massive performer on the offensive end, and if he can get back to his best, it will make Tasmania tough to stop.

There have been fewer players put together a better season than Adelaide’s Kendric Davis, with the import all but guaranteed to make an appearance on the All-NBL First Team in the coming months. His ability to create for others and score himself is up there with the best the competition has ever seen, and he will need to bring his A-game on the road against a Tasmania side that will be looking to throw him off his game. If Davis can deliver for Adelaide, it could lead to an important victory.

PREDICITION

Tasmania by two points.