Rd 16: Tasmania JackJumpers v Illawarra Hawks

Rd 16 - Tasmania JackJumpers v Illawarra Hawks 

5.30pm AEDT – Sunday 19 March 

Launceston Silverdome. SOLD OUT – capacity crowd 3300 expected 

Watch LIVE on ESPN via Kayo and Foxtel 

Context  

JackJumpers have had the mantle over the Hawks in NBL22 and will be looking to clean sweep the Hawks with 3 from 3 this season. The teams are both battling to squeeze into the top four as the final rounds of the season draw closer. This game is crucial for the finals hopes of both sides making for a scintillating game at the JackJumpers’ northern home.

Last time they met  

Rd15: Tasmania JackJumpers 81 def Illawarra Hawks 77, March 13 @ MyState Bank Arena

The JackJumpers used the home crowd energy to storm home to a 4 point victory. After a tight tussle early in the first quarter, the JackJumpers’ defensive pressure created opportunities at the other end of the floor opening up a 14 point lead at the half. Jack McVeigh continued his breakout season while captain Clint Steindl found form from the perimeter, as both players finished with a game high 20 points. After stretching to a 17 point lead early in the fourth quarter, some ill-discipline and costly turnovers threatened to derail the JackJumpers dominance, and the Hawks closed to within 2 points. But the home side rallied as Jack McVeigh’s 3-point play put the game to bed and sent the sold out crowd wild.

Recent form  

The Hawks have won six of their past eight games – their only two losses were to Tasmania. While the JackJumpers have won their last three games and will match their best winning streak if they can win this one and make it nine of their last 12.  

Illawarra currently sit 5^th on the NBL ladder, and could finish the round anywhere from 4^th to 6^th. JackJumpers are 5^th, a win could see them leapfrog the Hawks and put some pressure on the top four.

Ins & outs 

JackJumpers remain unchanged from the side that won against Illawarra last week.

Will Magnay is still sidelined with knee soreness. 

Opponents on the Radar 

Tyler Harvey. Harvey has led the Hawks in scoring with an average of 14.7 PPG and has scored double digits In 15 games in the 2021/22 Hungry Jack’s NBL. The last time he met with the JackJumpers he had a team high 16 points to go with 3 assists and 3 steals. 

Fun facts 

The JackJumpers are 8 wins and 1 loss with Matt Kenyon in the starting five. 

When Kenyon replaced Sam McDaniel into the starters in round nine, they went on a season best four game win streak before a loss at Phoenix and a win at Wollongong.

A win to Tasmania in this game will secure their first series clean sweep in franchise history.

A loss by the Hawks will be the first time they have been swept in a series by any team since Brian Goorjian became coach at the start of last season. 

History 

The JackJumpers and the Hawks have met twice this season. Round 12 when the JackJumpers shot the lights out in Wollongong including 22 three-pointers, to record an impressive 10 point win. The JackJumpers also got the W when they hosted the Hawks in Round 15 at MyState Bank Arena, holding on for a 4 point victory after a late rally from the visitors.