Match Report v Cairns (Round 2)

The Tasmania JackJumpers have fallen to their second straight loss, going down by seven points against the Taipans at Cairns Convention Centre on Saturday night. 

It was a remarkable game in a lot of ways. It wasn’t aesthetically pleasing, but still Tasmania dominated the offensive glass with 19 rebounds at that end to eight, but it only led to a 14 to nine second chance points edge.

The most frustrating aspect for the JackJumpers was they just couldn’t make a shot. They took an incredible 24 extra field goals than the Taipans, but only went at 31 per cent and 5/34 at 14 per cent from deep.

At half-time, the JackJumpers were out to a six-point lead (34-28) with captain Clint Steindl continuing his form from Thursday against Adelaide to put up 13 first half points.

Things all changed after the break starting with a game turning 19-2 run for the Taipans, which was inspired by some incredible play by both Kouat Noi and McCall. 

Noi upped his aggression and scored a quick-fire seven points on his way to 17 for the match. An injured PCL robbed the Taipans of his electric play for much of last season, but he delivered here. 

It was another tough shooting night for Tasmania's import backcourt duo Josh Magette and Josh Adams. They combined for 10/37 shooting from the field and 3/20 from deep. Magette had 19 points, nine rebounds and five assists, and Adams nine points and four rebounds.

Tasmania coach Scott Roth afterwards said much of the game was like pulling teeth in a lot of ways.

"We settled for a lot of jump shots. It was like going to the dentist's office and not getting any novocaine," Roth said.

"Obviously when the shots go in, it looks brilliant. But when they don't, you have to create something else. This is not a sprint, it is a marathon. We don't have a high margin of error. We just have to improve on the offensive end."

The JackJumpers remain on the road to take on the Perth Wildcats at RAC Arena next Sunday.

HUNGRY JACK'S NBL ROUND 2

CAIRNS TAIPANS 69 (McCall 20, Noi 17, Kenny 8)
TASMANIA JACKJUMPERS 62 (Magette 19, Steindl 13, Adams 9) 

BOX SCORE