The half-court wonder shot that put JackJumpers within a win of the NBL title – and Melbourne on the verge of defeat

Tasmania forward Jack McVeigh took a step over the half-court, dribbled between his legs and launched himself into the history books as his miracle shot put his JackJumpers within one win of a maiden NBL championship.

McVeigh’s three-pointer from just over half-court with just 1.2 seconds left on the clock took his Tasmania JackJumpers to a 93-91 win in game three of the NBL grand final series in front of 10,175 fans.

Jack McVeigh in game three of the NBL grand final series.Credit: Getty Images

The Jackies have a 2-1 lead heading into game four at a potentially sold-out MyState Bank Arena in Hobart on Thursday night.

Australian legend Andrew Gaze said during post-game commentary for ESPN that McVeigh’s shot was among the biggest in NBL history and fellow NBL great and commentator Derek Rucker agreed.

“That was one of the biggest shots we’ve seen in NBL history,” Rucker said.

Tasmanian sport is enjoying one of its greatest periods with the much-celebrated launch of the AFL’s Tasmania Devils last week and the JackJumpers run to the grand final series.

A national title on Thursday night will take those celebrations to the next level.

McVeigh, whose emergence this season has led to calls for him to get tryouts for the NBA and for the Australian Boomers, cut an emotional figure post-game as he realised the gravity of his shot which surpassed 240,000 views alone on the NBL’s X feed, formerly known as Twitter.

“I just wanted to shoot it baby - I just want one more [win],” McVeigh told ESPN soon after the buzzer.

“I’m going to have to go home, text some loved ones and hope they can talk some trash and bring my head back down so we can go out in game four and win this.”

Matthew Dellavedova of United shoots against Milton Doyle of the JackJumpers.Credit: Getty Images

JackJumpers coach Scott Roth encouraged his players to celebrate the win on the night as “life is short” but from Monday they will be chasing one more win.

“It’s just another shot [right now] but if we happen to win a championship, then it will be a shot that everyone talks about,” Roth said.

Jack McVeigh just before he made his game-winning shot.Credit: Getty Images

“But, right now, it is just another half-court shot that went in.

“He’s had two of them this year [game winners], he’s one of those guys who loves those moments.

“But we haven’t done anything yet. We are excited to win in this building, but have to come back down, recuperate and get ready [for game four].”

McVeigh put up a prayer from well behind the three-point line after United star Matthew Dellavedova turned over an in-bounds pass with 8.1 seconds left.

The play capped a frantic final few minutes in which the lead changed hands seven times, Dellavedova had previously made a three-pointer and a shot at the bucket which could have handed his side the win, at least until McVeigh took his moment.

Dellavedova led his side with 21 points and eight assists admitted he was left “very disappointed and frustrated” by the defeat and took some of the blame.

“[It was] obviously a bad pass, Jack hits a big shot, but now we’ve just got to recover and focus to see what we can do better down there (in Hobart),” Dellavedova said.

The JackJumpers lost import big man Marcus Lee to a nasty-looking knee injury in the third quarter and he will get scans in Hobart on Monday with his side hoping he can play a role in either game four or, if needed, game five.

Veteran big man Majok Deng stood up in his place scoring 15 points in a final-term cameo.

With AAP

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