Match Preview: Sixers to jostle with JackJumpers

The Adelaide 36ers will look to end their Code Sports NBL Blitz campaign unbeaten when they come up against Tasmania on Saturday night.

The Sixers are coming off a dominant win over reigning NBL Champion Illawarra, when undermanned through injuries and other player absences, they won by 21 points.

The JackJumpers also tasted victory in their opening Blitz game, beating Cairns by two points in an overtime nailbiter.

In the absence of imports Bryce Cotton (knee soreness) and Montrezl Harrell (yet to arrive in Australia) along with Isaac Humphries and Matt Kenyon (both calf injuries), Isaac White, Flynn Cameron and DJ Vasiljevic stepped up to lead the scoring for the Sixers against the Hawks.

Vasiljevic says the 104-83 result at the AIS Arena in Canberra proved the depth of the Sixers NBL26 line-up.

“We missed a few key players (on Wednesday night), but the young fellas stepped in, and I was really impressed with how we took care of business and beat the reigning champs,” Vasiljevic said.

“I think we did really well. We shot the ball really good. We shared the ball. We defended.

“There were lapses of bad shots and not great transition in defence in our opinion but that’s what happens when you integrate new guys in our system and you have younger fellas (out there).

“I was really proud of the boys.”

Isaac White was a shining light on Wednesday night, topping the scoring with 20 points including five shots from beyond the arc. He also added four rebounds and six assists.

Flynn Cameron showed why the 36ers were so keen to get him across from Melbourne United at the end of last season, knocking down 16 points, five rebounds and three assists, and linking nicely at times with import recruit Zylan Cheatham.

The Sixers have lost their last two meetings against the JackJumpers and four of the last five.

SQUAD NEWS

With Harrell still yet to arrive from the United States after an impressive BIG3 campaign in which he captained the Chicago Triplets to the Grand Final, fellow import Zylan Cheatham showed some of the energy and athleticism that will likely make him a fan favourite for Adelaide supporters.

Star recruit Bryce Cotton will remain sidelined alongside Isaac Humphries and Matt Kenyon, though Michael Harris, who suited up but was rested on Wednesday night will see some floor time.

Development players Magok Manyang and Che Brogan as well as nominated replacement player Blake Jones and train-on player Tom Kubank each saw minutes and none looked out of place against the Hawks.

Tasmania has refreshed its roster over the off-season, adding new imports David Johnson, Bryce Hamilton and Tyger Campbell, while farewelling several members of its NBL24 Championship-winning squad, including Milton Doyle, Jordon Crawford and Clint Steindl.

Among the recruits is former 36er Nick Marshall while the Sixers links also include Majok Deng and Anthony Drmic.

Hamilton impressed with 25 points, seven rebounds and two assists in Thursday night’s win over Cairns while Campbell contributed 14 points, eight assists, three boards and three steals.

The JackJumpers are without Australian Boomers guard Sean Macdonald who suffered a ruptured ACL while playing for the national side late last month.

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TASMANIA JACKJUMPERS vs ADELAIDE 36ERS
AIS Arena, Saturday 30 August, 7:45pm ACDT
Live on ESPN via Kayo Sports or Disney+

OVERALL
Played 12, Adelaide 3, Tasmania 9

LAST FIVE MATCHES
Jan 10, 2025 - JackJumpers 104 def 36ers 103 at MyState Bank Arena
Nov 30, 2024 – JackJumpers 77 def 36ers 73 at AEC
Oct 20, 2024 – 36ers 77 def JackJumpers 73 at AEC
Feb 4, 2024 – JackJumpers 109 def 36ers 86 at MyState Bank Arena
Dec 2, 2023 – JackJumpers 94 def 36ers 59 at MyState Bank Arena