PERHAPS the most exciting night of action in the 2023/24 National Basketball League (NBL) season looms on Wednesday, with back-to-back game threes after the Tasmania JackJumpers defeated the Illawarra Hawks to keep the semi-final series alive.

After falling by eight points in game one, the JackJumpers needed to win at MyState Bank Arena on Monday night to remain a hope to make the Grand Final series. This time, Tasmania had the home court advantage and the JackJumper army was always going to play a role in the game.

Despite the Wildcats getting the jump in the opening quarter, the JackJumpers rallied in the second half to overcome a double-digit deficit and produce an eight-point win.

The result means the series heads to game three at RAC Arena, with the winner set to book a spot in the Grand Final series.

Tasmania JackJumpers (102) def. Perth Wildcats (94)

There were ominous signs early for the JackJumpers, with the Wildcats making the most of Marcus Lee‘s absence through suspension and attacked the rim to get the jump on Tasmania. The JackJumpers failed to maintain composure on the offensive end, as Perth opened up a 10-point lead in the first quarter. At the first change, the margin stood at eight points and Perth looked in control of the match.

Despite being able to get within one point at one stage of the second term, Tasmania saw the margin balloon out to 10 points again. Their big names found themselves in foul trouble as Perth’s savvy nature of drawing contact proved costly to the JackJumpers. Luckily for Tasmania, the quarter ended with a three-pointer from captain Clint Steindl saw the deficit cut to five points, in what proved to be the biggest shot of the game.

The JackJumpers looked far more comfortable in the second half, rallying behind the vocal crowd to attack the paint and beat the Wildcats at their own game. It was Jack McVeigh that realised that driving inside often resulted in free throws, and he began to put pressure on Perth’s interior defence. Also lifting in the third term was Milton Doyle, making shots from long-range off the dribble to help the JackJumpers to a one-point advantage at the last change.

The fourth quarter saw Tasmania put the game to bed with some impressive defensive stops with the match on the line. Sean Macdonald put all of his effort into clamping NBL24 MVP Bryce Cotton and did an admirable job, ensuring the superstar guard could not become the match-winner he has proven to be in the past, despite still finishing the match with 26 points. The JackJumpers went smaller with their lineup late, putting in five shooters and opening up the paint for the game-sealing shots.

Doyle and McVeigh were the catalyst for Tasmania’s win, producing 24 and 22 points respectively. After being rattled as a side earlier in the match, the duo’s composure proved integral to the result of the match, and stepped up after a quiet game from Jordan Crawford. Majok Deng was a spark in the second quarter and finished with 18 points in 16 minutes, while Macdonald added 12 points and five assists to some impressive defence.

Game three will take place at RAC Arena on Wednesday night at 9:30pm AEDT.