36ers prepared for brutal Tassie battle

Adelaide 36ers will be out for revenge when Tasmania JackJumpers visit Brett Maher Court at the Entertainment Centre on Monday night.

The NBL22 grand finalists have already visited the City of Churches once this season and left with an emphatic 97-72 result to spark their campaign.

Tasmania turned the pressure gauge up to maximum on defense as the JackJumpers stunned Adelaide in their home opener.

Expect nothing less from the JackJumpers on Monday night, especially after Tasmania dropped their last match, a 91-82 loss to Cairns Taipans in Hobart on Saturday night.

THE KEY
Milton Doyle has been a revelation for Tasmania in the past month of the season and has come into NBL23 MVP calculations.

Doyle is averaging 17.9 points, 5.7 rebounds and 2.9 assists per night in NBL23 but has had recent performances of 25 points in a road win against Sydney Kings, 33 points on the Bullets at home and another 25 points in victory over United in Melbourne.

He is a proven finisher and an influence Adelaide must shut down to have success on Monday night. Expect Antonius Cleveland to get the early assignment on the 193cm Tassie swingman.

THE SECRET
Will Magnay is finally back and fully fit in a huge boost for Scott Roth’s side. The marquee man for Tassie is a rim protector that can cause headaches at both ends of the floor.

After struggling for the better part of the past two seasons with leg and foot injuries, Magnay’s return only bolsters a JackJumpers defense which is arguably the best in the league.

The 208cm centre has only been playing limited minutes, around 15-20 per night, but the effectiveness has been profound, even though his averages of 6.6 points and 3.8 rebounds don't look imposing, the impact very much is.

THE FINAL WORD
Tasmania will be out to reverse Saturday night’s home loss where the Taipans overran the JackJumpers in a 20-10 fourth quarter burst.

The JackJumpers will hold no fear walking onto the Adelaide Entertainment Centre and the Josh Magette-led side will want to bounce back and keep shooting for that spot in the top four.

Magette is also a vital match up for Mitch McCarron, the Adelaide 36ers captain needs to come out from the opening tip with a presence to get on top of Tasmania’s spiritual leader.

This is a huge game for both sides, Adelaide have the opportunity to get their season back on track with an 8-8 record and by beating the JackJumpers, reduce their record to the same 8-8 mark.

DEPTH CHART
Weeks | Macdonald
Magette | White
Doyle | Steindl
McVeigh | Kelly
Magnay | Krslovic