Tasmania JackJumpers vs Sydney Kings: The Premiership Hangover is for real

Friday, 7:30 PM AEDT – Silverdome, Tasmania

The Tasmania JackJumpers are up against a formidable Sydney Kings outfit in what promises to be an intriguing Round 5 clash. The JackJumpers have struggled offensively this season, while the Kings come in with strong scoring and defensive stats, making them tough competition.

Can the JackJumpers Find Their Offense?

The JackJumpers are finding it difficult to put points on the board, which could spell trouble against a well-rounded Kings squad. Tasmania's offensive woes are apparent, as they’re averaging just 79.6 points per game — the lowest in the NBL this season. To make matters worse, their shooting percentages reflect these struggles, with just 40.4% from the field and a concerning 29.2% from beyond the arc.

Tasmania’s starters are a combined -27 through five games, and while they remain one of the league’s top defensive teams, it’s clear they haven’t found their rhythm on offense. Facing a clinical Sydney team won’t make it any easier to improve those numbers.

Sydney’s Depth Shines

The Kings come into this matchup with both confidence and momentum. They’ve already shown resilience this season, managing to adjust after losing key guard Jaylen Adams for part of Round 4. After losing Adams midway their first game against the 36ers, the Kings didn’t miss a beat in their second game of the week against Cairns, putting on an impressive performance. Adams is expected to return for this game, adding another dimension to Sydney’s offense, but the team’s depth is a testament to their ability to thrive even in adversity.

The Kings boast impressive rankings on both ends of the court — 3rd in points scored and 3rd in opposition points, making them one of the NBL’s elite teams. Sydney are scoring 86.8 points per game and rank 2nd in field goal defense, limiting opponents to just 43.3% shooting. They’ll be eager to capitalize on Tasmania’s offensive struggles.

Key Matchups and Stats

One area the Kings might exploit is Tasmania’s paint defense. The JackJumpers allow a league-high 48.4 points in the paint per game, which could create opportunities for Sydney’s big men to dominate inside.

On the boards, Sydney’s Keli Leaupepe has been in strong form, grabbing 10 rebounds in each of his last two outings. Against one of the NBL’s worst rebounding teams, Leaupepe could have another big game on the glass. Meanwhile, Tasmania will need to step up their rebounding, as they’re currently ranked 7th in the league, with 41.8 boards per game compared to Sydney’s 43.5.

Head-to-Head Record

The two teams faced off three times in the 2023/24 season, with Tasmania winning the series 2-1. However, based on current form, Sydney looks like the team to beat in this Round 5 matchup.

Form & Team News

Tasmania JackJumpers:

It’s been a rocky start to the season for Tasmania, who sit 8th on the ladder with a 2-3 record. Last season’s offensive efficiency feels like a distant memory, as they now rank last in points per game. Their usually reliable defense also took a hit after conceding 109 points to Illawarra last week, dropping them to 4th in opposition points allowed. However, they remain a threat from beyond the arc defensively, ranking 2nd in opponent three-point percentage.

Sydney Kings:

The Kings split their games last weekend, suffering a 10-point loss to Adelaide before bouncing back with a commanding 99-73 victory over Cairns. Injuries have impacted their rotation, with Jaylen Adams and Xavier Cooks both managing limited minutes. Despite this, the Kings continue to perform well on both sides of the ball. Sydney ranks 3rd in points scored per game and is among the league’s best at protecting the ball, committing the 2nd fewest turnovers in the NBL.