MyState Bank Arena | 7:30PM AEDT, Friday, November 15
The Tasmania JackJumpers are set to chase their first consecutive wins of the season as they host the Brisbane Bullets at MyState Bank Arena on Friday night.
After an up-and-down start to the season, Tasmania found their offensive rhythm in Round 8, particularly through standout performances from Milton Doyle, and will be looking to maintain that momentum against Brisbane. The Bullets, meanwhile, have been consistent on offence but continue to struggle defensively, currently ranked 9th in the league in opponent scoring. With Tasmania’s strong home-court form, this game offers a great opportunity for the JackJumpers to climb back up the standings.
Tasmania’s Defence vs. Brisbane’s Offence: Tasmania holds second-best defence in the league, allowing only 82.8 points per game. Brisbane, however, has relied on high-scoring performances, especially from key players Josh Bannan and Tyrell Harrison. The JackJumpers will need to slow down Brisbane’s offensive rhythm and deny second-chance points if they want to control this game.
Milton Doyle & Jordan Crawford vs. Brisbane’s Backcourt: Doyle and Crawford are the catalysts for the JackJumpers and will need to both fire if they want to keep up with the scoring of the Bullets and capitalise on their defensive weaknesses. Brisbane’s guards, including KeAndre Cook, James Batemon, and Mitch Norton, will need to step up defensively to contain the Tassie guards and prevent them from finding his scoring groove.
Tasmania’s Dominance at Home: The JackJumpers have won 9 of their last 10 games at MyState Bank Arena, and 3 of their past 4 home games against Brisbane.
Brisbane’s Scoring Consistency: The Bullets are 4th on offence with an average of 89.4PPG, but their defensive woes (allowing 93.5 points per game) remain a concern.
Josh Bannan’s Impact: Bannan averages 8.3 rebounds per game in NBL25 and has become a reliable option from beyond the arc, hitting 3-of-4 threes in his last two games.
With growing confidence on offence and a solid defensive foundation, Tasmania should be well-positioned to handle Brisbane. Their defensive structure is among the best in the league, and if their shooting percentages continue to climb, they should have no problem outscoring the Bullets. Doyle’s recent form and Tasmania's variety on offence improving will help them capitalise on Brisbane’s lack of defensive organisation makes them favourites to win by a narrow margin.
For Brisbane to win, they’ll need a comprehensive team effort on both ends of the court. That means defensive improvements to contain Doyle and contributions from their guards to create opportunities for Bannan and Harrison inside. If they can limit Tasmania’s second-chance opportunities and win the battle on the boards, Brisbane has a chance to pull off an upset.
Tasmania’s recent uptick on offence and Brisbane’s continued struggles on defence suggest that the JackJumpers are well-suited to secure a win in front of their home crowd. With Brisbane struggling to find defensive consistency, Tasmania’s home-court advantage and Doyle’s hot hand should tip the scales in favour of the JackJumpers in what is expected to be a closely contested game.
