Rd 8 Preview | JackJumpers v Breakers

The Tasmania JackJumpers did plenty right until the final stretch last Friday night in Launceston and now will attempt to complete the job a week later back at the Silverdome against the New Zealand Breakers.

The JackJumpers play two games each season in Launceston and now the second of those for NBL27 will take place on Friday night against the visiting Breakers with the game to underway at 7:30pm.

Coming into the Friday night match up in Round 8 of NBL27 and the JackJumpers are only percentage off top spot in the standings with a 7-3 record while the Breakers are 4-7 having now lost their past four matches.

The JackJumpers led most of the way last Friday night in the Silverdome before a late 12-2 run from the Kings saw the defending champions secure the 71-68 victory.

But Tasmania bounced back less than 48 hours later with a tremendous performance in Melbourne against the South East Melbourne Phoenix to win 98-89 even in the absence of Ben Ayre, David Johnson, Ben Gold, Majok Deng and Bryce Hamilton.

Ayre will be available for the first time this season now on Friday night against the Breakers with the chance for the JackJumpers to return to top spot with a win going into the weekend.

The JackJumpers might now be 2-9 overall in Launceston during their time in the NBL following the loss to the Kings last Friday night, but that's not something Roth is interested in diving too far into.

"We don't talk about it and we've done some different things during the course of the five years of going up there, now our sixth," Roth said.

"Ultimately we just haven't played well enough to win in there and we were playing well enough in the Sydney game to do enough things if we just get a rebound or make one more three, or actually shoot any kind of percentage from the foul line, we end up winning that game.

"So there's only been one game where there's been a huge differential in points and everything else has come down to the wire so we just have to play better ultimately up there, and that's really it. It's on us.

Roth also certainly knows that threats that the Breakers possess especially now with Parker Jackson-Cartwright back in the line-up after being sidelined for three games, and with Sam Mennenga delivering 28.0 points and 9.8 rebounds over the past six matches.

Carlin Davison is also averaging 14.6 points, 10.4 assists and 5.2 rebounds over the past five matches so Roth knows they are going to be tough especially under the coaching of World Cup winner Gordie Herbert.

"They're tough and physical, and know Mennenga's a problem, and now Cartwright's back, and they can cause a lot of different problems for us," Roth said.

"We've had a lot of wars against them actually in the last two years with slugfest kind of deals with them, and I'm sure it's going to be another one up there in the Silverdome.

"They're a good team and they have a hell of a coach with a big reputation throughout Europe, and respected across the lines. We'll have to be on top of our game."

Dakota Mathias is one player who has been a revelation joining the JackJumpers this season after a stint at the Brisbane Bullets in NBL26 before that season ended with a fractured scapula.

He is producing 15.3 points, 4.4 rebounds and 2.3 assists a game while shooting the three ball at a phenomenal 44 per cent, but he's just worried about the team and knows the Breakers are another test to deal with on Friday night in Launceston.

"As a competitor and a player, you can always go to a different level but at the end of the day, it's all about wins," Mathias said.

"That's why we're trying to stack days here, get better each and every day, and continue to win games.

"Our focus is more about us, but we've got to execute defensive transition, rebounding has been huge for us and I think we've taken a big step the last two games in doing that.

"We've got to continue to do that and just play our brand of basketball, share the basketball, move it the right way and at the end of the day, it'll be OK."

Following Friday night's game in Launceston, the JackJumpers don't play again until next Thursday night in Perth against the Wildcats before backing up on Sunday in Brisbane against the Bullets.

HUNGRY JACK'S NBL SEASON 2026/27 | ROUND 8

TASMANIA JACKJUMPERS v New Zealand Breakers

The Silverdome (Launceston), Friday November 6, 7:30pm

Watch live on ESPN via Disney+, Foxtel, Kayo or Fetch