FOR two teams playing against each other for the first time in the NBL, who were hungry to add a win in the win column after a tough few rounds, the Tasmania JackJumpers and New Zealand Breakers kicked off a double-header of Boxing Day hoops.  

The JackJumpers had a number of opportunities on Wednesday night to win against the Sydney Kings, but were looking to bounce back in front of their home fans in Tasmania, after a four-game losing streak. Whilst the Breakers were looking for their first win of the season after a tough round three loss against Melbourne United. Following the inclusion of newcomer Chasson Randle, the Breakers were desperate to find a spark from Randle, with a number of key players still out due to injury.

FIRST QUARTER:

Sam McDaniel scored the opening points for the JackJumpers, and William McDowell-White opened the scoring for the Breakers with a floating jump shot. Finn Delany nailed two free throws to tie the scores at four points apiece, it was quarter of scoring runs in the first quarter. Will Magnay blocked a shot defensively, Josh Magette hit a three to give the JackJumpers a five-point lead, 9-4 with 5:47 left in the first quarter. The Breakers looked to find any scoring power offensively, it did not get any easier, with Magnay hitting a three. The JackJumpers had everything go their way, as Josh Adams got involved hitting a two, forcing the Breakers to call a time-out and find some answers.

Yannick Wetzell got involved in the game hitting a much needed two points, reducing the margin to six, 14-8, with 3.35 left in the quarter. Both Delany and Martin stepped up, forcing the JackJumpers to call a timeout with their lead cut to two, 14-12 with 2:36 left.

Jarrad Weeks came off the bench hitting a three, and soon Clint Steindl, who has been on song with his shooting and in-form, also nailed a three to extend the margin to eight points, 20-12. From there, the JackJumpers had the answers, and increased their pressure defensively. Magette hit a two-pointer to finish the first quarter, and it was the JackJumpers with a nine-point lead at quarter time, 25-16.

SECOND QUARTER:

The JackJumpers kept the scoring power going to start the second quarter with Fabijan Krslovic, Matt Kenyon and Steindl all hitting shots to extend the home team’s lead. The Breakers still searched for answers, on putting some scoreboard pressure and finding others to step up. In his debut game in Breakers colours, Randle hit a crucial three to reduce the margin to 13, 32-19.

The Breakers did not have enough offensive scorers to stop the the JackJumpers scoring, as the home side made the most of their opportunities. Jeremiah Martin stepped up when it mattered, hitting a three with 5:46 left in the second quarter, 36-28. With Krslovic hitting an easy two-pointer, the Breakers forced a timeout.

Adams continued his strong start as he extended the home side’s lead to 14. With the JackJumpers looking in control, a long pass vision from Robert Loe to Martin, finishing the shot towards the end of the quarter was exactly what the Breakers needed. After nailing a three-point play, the JackJumpers held their lead into the half-time break with a 11-point lead, 50-39.

Adams had a strong first half, with 11 points and three rebounds, while Steindl recorded nine points and looked to keep his shooting going in the second half. For the Breakers, Delany and Wetzell contributed well for the Breakers but for the Breakers, energy was key getting back into the match as well as finding others to step up on the scoring front.

While the JackJumpers were on fire from the three-point line, shooting 7/14 (50 per cent), the Breakers were struggling to get going shooting 2/15 (13.4 per cent). With the home side also dominating from the field overall shooting 18/31 (58.1 per cent), the Breakers were shooting at 14/38 (36.8 per cent).

THIRD QUARTER:

While Adams started the third quarter strongly for the home side, Martin made a great play driving to the basket, reducing the margin to 10, 51-41. An out of bounds play by Magette meant the Breakers needed a spark to turn the match around. When Martin hit a three-pointer reducing the margin to four, 55-51, the JackJumpers were forced to call a time-out. Steindl steadied the ship hitting some tough shots in the quarter, stepping up when needed and doing what he does best.

The Breakers chances were hurt from missed shots and poor turnovers.The JackJumpers steadied with multiple players stepping up adding scoreboard pressure, not wanting to let the lead go after Wednesday’s game, which would have been a key message at half-time. After a three-pointer from Adams which hurt towards the end of the third quarter and two from McIntosh, the home side went into the three quarter time break with a 13-point lead, 69-56.

FOURTH QUARTER:

The JackJumpers continued the scoring momentum in the fourth, scoring the first four points to start the last quarter. The Breakers were not able to reduce the margin, turning the ball over and not being able to find – as it was the issue for most of the game – others to step up and get stops defensively. The Breakers were able to reduce the margin to as little as 10 points, following a three-point play from Hugo Besson. But with the offensive setups working well for the home side, the JackJumpers were too good in the end, bouncing back from Wednesday night’s loss with a nine-point win, 84-75.

For the JackJumpers, Adams was named Player of the Match, finishing the game with 21 points and four rebounds. Steindl had 14 points, shooting 5/6 and 4/5 from the three-point line, on top of five rebounds. McDaniel also played his role with 10 points.

For the Breakers, Wetzell had another strong performance with 20 points and eight rebounds. Martin also did his part with 24 points and eight assists, whilst Delany finished with 10 points and six rebounds.

Both sides will play a single match in Round 5. The Breakers will face Cairns Taipans on New Years Eve, whilst the JackJumpers will take on Melbourne United on New Years Day.