Tassie aims for triple treat at Blitz

Adelaide 36ers will be looking to stop Tasmania JackJumpers from clean sweeping at the NBL Blitz in their final game of the pre-season tournament on Thursday.

The JackJumpers have won both their games so far, 92-85 against New Zealand Breakers and 97-84 over South East Melbourne Phoenix and are on target to claim the Loggins-Bruton Cup.

Adelaide is still searching for their first victory of the NBL Blitz and will be keen to prove to the league and themselves the first two results are not an indication of the season ahead.

Tasmania are known for their defensive intensity and with the 36ers struggling to take care of the ball, expect the JackJumpers to bring the heat for the full 40 minutes.

THE KEY
Tasmania had one main target during the off-season, re-sign import swingman Milton Doyle, and the JackJumpers got their man.

Doyle had an outstanding debut NBL23 season, averaging 17.2 points. 5.0 rebounds and 3.7 assists as he led the JackJumpers all the way to the semi-finals.

The 193cm swingman is a game breaker and can put his side on his shoulders, especially during crunch time, and is a match-up nightmare.

During Tasmania’s 92-85 win against New Zealand Breakers on Tuesday, Doyle only scored six points, but he became the facilitator, dishing a game-high seven assists.

Expect Sunday Dech to get the match-up on Doyle, but don’t be surprised if head coach CJ Bruton throws Next Star Trentyn Flowers or fellow NBL rookie Alex Starling onto Doyle at times throughout the match.

THE SECRET
Jordon Crawford has come into the JackJumpers roster as the import starting point guard, and he hasn’t disappointed.

Standing at only 168cm, Crawford has shown height is no barrier and he was the reason Tasmania got the victory against the Breakers on Tuesday.

Crawford scored 18 points, dished six assists and pulled down five rebounds as he controlled the contest at both ends of the floor.

The 33-year-old replaces inaugural JackJumpers captain Josh Magette and comes to Tasmania with high praise from a playing stint in Europe, with stops in Turkey, France and Germany.

Mitch McCarron will get first crack and trying to nullify the Crawford impact, and the Adelaide must stop his penetration to the basket, which can lead to wide open shots.

DEPTH CHART
PG: Crawford / Macdonald / Barker (NRP)
SG: Doyle / Madut / Brown
SF: Drmic / Steindl / Richards
PF: McVeigh / Deng
C: Lee / Krslovic / Bairstow / Majok (NRP) / Magnay (inj.)

THE FINAL WORD
Adelaide needs to show to everyone the opening two games have not been acceptable and there’s no better team to prove yourself against than the tough JackJumpers side.

Improvements are required on both ends of the court and the JackJumpers will come out firing and looking to impose their game style.

Expect some changes to the starting line-up and the rotations as head coach CJ Bruton looks to find the right balance for his side.

Tasmania have a lot of former 36ers in their roster who will be out to prove themselves, including Anthony Drmic, Jack McVeigh and Majok Deng.

This game is all about respect and building back faith in the team and direction of the NBL24 season moving froward towards the opening game of the season against the Bullets in Brisbane on September 29.