Rd11 Tasmania JackJumpers v Cairns Taipans

Game Day preview

Rd 11 –Tasmania JackJumpers v Cairns Taipans    

Saturday 17^th December – 5.30pm tip-off

Doors open – 4.30pm AEDT

MyState Bank Arena (SOLD OUT)

Watch LIVE on ESPN via Kayo and Foxtel

State of Play

Confidence levels should be sky-high in the JackJumpers camp after one of the most impressive come-from-behind wins in the club’s short history. The JackJumpers rallied from 14 points down in the 3^rd quarter of the Grand Final rematch against the Sydney Kings, to take an 8-point victory at Qudos Bank Arena.

The JackJumpers trademark relentless defence proved the difference against the League leaders, with Milton Doyle and Jack McVeigh leading the final quarter offensive conversion to complete the stunning comeback.

Cairns have simmered slightly after a white hot start to the season, but clawed a gritty 1 point win in double overtime against the Hawks on Saturday – their second OT victory in under a fortnight after an extra time win over the Kings in Round 9.

The snakes again brought the firepower and energy as the Bullets challenged them on Wednesday, taking an important 9 point win over Brisbane that takes Cairns to 9-5 for the season so far.

Last time they met  

Round 1: JackJumpers 84 def by Cairns 106

A third-quarter avalanche from the sizzling-hot Taipans was too much for the JackJumpers in Round 1 as Cairns held on for a 106-84 win to hand Tasmania a 0-2 start to the season.

After holding a 50-48 halftime lead the JackJumpers were out-played by the visitors in the third term, with the Taipans catching fire from deep to set up a match winning lead Tasmania could not chase down.

The Taipans outscored the JackJumpers 39-17 in the red-hot third period to turn their halftime deficit into a monster 20-point lead at the final change, which they extended to 22 at the final buzzer disappointing the sold out crowd at MySTate Bank Arena for the hone sides 1^st home game of the season.

The JackJumpers will be looking to turn the tables in their second meeting of the season, and with the new imports and returning stars finding their feet and gelling in recent weeks.

SRT Coaches’ take

Associate Head Coach Jacob Chance said “They’ve got some real talent above the rim - Pinder, McCall. You can’t lie down with those guys on the floor. They showed they have what it takes to grind out games, double OT is a tough win. We’re excited to be back at MyState Bank Arena, feels like an eternity since we’ve been in that building and in front of that crowd and I know all the guys are pumped to be back there. It was a really goo stint on the road with the three wins but it’s always nice to be home and to be back in front of our fans”.

Ins & outs 

JackJumpers: TBC

Taipans: TBC

Opponents on the Radar 

Majok Deng starred for the Taipans with 26 points in Round 1 – with 16 of those in the first half as he helped the visitors stay in the game after a slow start.