A GENUINE high-stakes NBL clash tips off at 2:30pm today down on the Apple Isle with Tasmania JackJumpers playing host to Brisbane Bullets. Less than 40 hours after the Bullets walked off the court following their loss at home to Illawarra Hawks, Brisbane will need to find the energy to put away the most in-form side of the competition, not to mention reigning premiers.

Tasmania JackJumpers vs. Brisbane Bullets

MyState Bank Arena, 2:30pm AEDT

There is not much to split either side on the NBL ladder, with the Jackies’ most recent win over New Zealand Breakers on Christmas Day giving them their 10th win, while the Bullets’ 18-point defeat to Illawarra saw their run of five wins in six matches take a hit. Both these teams started slow but have worked their way back into Play-In Tournament contention, with the Tasmanian side now on an incredible seven-win run.

That run included a victory over Brisbane on November 15, where the Jackies got up in a nail-biter 95-92 after Brisbane had jumped the home side to lead 31-20 at the main break. On that day, Milton Doyle essentially took the side on his back, putting up a massive 32 points – shooting eight of 11 from long-range – and seven rebounds, while the now-injured Will Magnay managed 14 points, seven rebounds and three steals against his former side.

Brisbane had its chances in that game, with the load shared around. Keandre Cook‘s 23 points was a team-high, and his five steals was a game-high, while Josh Bannan (15 points, nine rebounds and four assists) and Casey Prather (12 points, six rebounds and four assists) all contributed strongly. If the Bullets can find that balance, and the JackJumpers being without Magnay, it is enough to turn the tables.

In saying that, Tasmania has kept on cooking even without Magnay with the big man missing since just before Christmas due to a fractured toe. He should be back by February, but the JackJumpers still need to set up their season by then. The man who has stepped up in his absence has been Jordan Crawford, with the small hitting 15.3 points this season, including 1.9 three-pointers and dishing off four assists per game.

Crawford had 26 points, four assists and two steals against the Breakers in the most recent win, following on from a 16-point and six-assist performance against United. Doyle, who has played every match this season, has hit somewhat of a slower patch since that massive effort against Brisbane, so will be looking to regain his form taking on the Bullets again.

While the JackJumpers have struggled to score throughout the season – ranked 10th overall for points – they are the number one defensive team. They keep the opposition to a ridiculously low 83.2 points, while also limiting the opposition’s open looks. They can be inaccurate at times and struggle to put points on the board, but have been improving on that front.

By contrast, the Bullets can put points up, but struggle to contain the opposition. Case in point, recording 80 points for the 12th consecutive time against Illawarra on Friday night but conceding more than 100 for the sixth time in the last 11 games. They have managed to win most shootouts against sides, but this game will be played differently.

Prather looms as a key scorer for the Bullets, averaging a team-high 20.6 points and deadly from long-range, shooting at 49 per cent for the season and almost three marks per game from that range. Cook and James Batemon are able to share the load and also dish off dimes, but the issue will be having those connections on the night and trying to get past the JackJumpers’ defence especially on Tasmania’s homecourt. Plus, there is the short turnaround betwee games for the Bullets.

TIP = Tasmania JackJumpers by 16