Playoff Game 2 Preview: JackJumpers v Wildcats

GAME PREVIEW –

Perth Wildcats v Tasmania JackJumpers

Playoff Game 2

Monday 11 March, 7.30pm tip-off AEDT

MyState Bank Arena

Watch LIVE on ESPN via Kayo and Foxtel

State of Play

It’s advantage Perth in the best of 3 play off series, as Tasmania return home to what will be a packed MyState Bank Arena.

JackJumpers are now fighting to keep their season and finals run alive, and it’s do or die on Monday night.

The Wildcats dominated on Friday night on their home floor, quashing a late surge from the visitor to take game one 89-81. 

The JackJumpers will need to curb the influence Keanu Pinder after a game changing performance on Friday.

Last time they met  

HUNGRY JACKS NBL PLAYOFFS GAME 1 

PERTH WILDCATS 89 (Pinder 25, Cotton 15, Usher 11)

TASMANIA JACKJUMPERS 81 (Crawford 19, McVeigh 17, Lee 16) 

Precious little separated both teams all night with a margin of no more than nine points with the contest a physical one with plenty of whistles along the way.

It didn't take away from the spectacle and the fourth quarter was full of drama beginning with consecutive three balls from Jack McVeigh (17 points) for the JackJumpers.

Marcus Lee (16 points) then scored back-to-back buckets and the visitors were up six and John Rillie needed a quick timeout for Perth.

Pinder led the 'Cats back into the contest with two more three balls on his way to making a career-best five for the game for 25 points and seven rebounds. He also had a monster one-handed dunk over Lee.

Wildcats were clinging to a four-point lead at three quarter-time before the hot final term start from Tasmania.

After the JackJumpers went up six, the Wildcats scored 15 of the next 19 points, and iced the game at the foul line to end up going 29-of-32 for the game at the stripe.

Jordon Crawford finished with 19 points and three assists for Tasmania but they needed more from Doyle (12 points, six assists on 4-of-16 shooting) and Will Magnay (eight points, eight rebounds, two blocks).

Head to Head

PO Game 1, 23/24 Perth def Tasmania

Rd 20, 23/24 Tasmania def Perth 86-72
Rd11, 23/24 Perth def Tasmania 89-88

Rd1, 23/24 Perth def Tasmania 101-95

Rd17, 22/23 Tasmania def Perth 102-94

SRT Logistics Coaches’ take

Head Coach Scott Roth said "It was a hell of a game and fun to be in, I thought our guys played well on the road here and we did get down a few times, but came right back.

"Then in the last five minutes we just didn’t make enough plays and the energy plays that they made turned the tide.

"A few boxouts and poor possessions offensively is enough in the playoffs when you get down to these critical moments."

Ins & outs 

Tasmania JackJumpers: JackJumpers will be without Marcus Lee, who received a one game ban for rough conduct following the playoff game against Perth.

Perth Wildcats: TBC