Perth Wildcats nudge ahead of Tasmiania Jackjumpers in first NBL semi-final 89-81

While Wildcats key playmaker Bryce Cotton wasn’t firing on Friday night, Keanu Pinder did to help Perth claim the first of the three in the NBL semi-final series.

Corey Webster of the Wildcats works to the basket during game one of the NBL Semifinal series between Perth Wildcats and Tasmania Jackjumpers at RAC Arena. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images.

Not much fell for Perth Wildcats star Bryce Cotton at RAC Stadium on Friday night.

Yet the Wildcats still claimed the first of the three-game semi-final series against the Tasmania JackJumpers, 89-81.

While Cotton struggled to score, Keanu Pinder didn’t.

He took on the responsibility of long-range shooting from Cottom, dropping five of seven three-point attempts.

He scored 25 points and dragged in seven rebounds before fouling out with a 1.14 left on the clock.

He’d done enough.

The JackJumpers failed in their attempt to stay clean when defending the four-times NBL MVP.

They fouled him a massive 10 times.

But Cotton could manage only 15 points, including none of six attempts from three-point territory.

His three points in the final term were all free throws.

Keanu Pinder of the Wildcats puts a shot up during game one of the NBL Semifinal series between Perth Wildcats and Tasmania Jackjumpers. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images.

LEE GOOD TO GO

Touted as a day-to-day proposition for Tasmania in the lead up to the game, import Marcus Lee started the game.

He scored the first points for the game and attracted the first foul.

His shoulder didn’t appear to bother him much midway through the second term when he dunked over Pinder.

He flexed his muscles to the big Cat, who had delivered a similar highlight at the other end of the court only 20 seconds earlier.

Lee looked likely top take the game away from Perth in that final term, but couldn’t land the final dagger.

He finished with 16 points, behind Jordon Crawford’s 19 and Jack McVeigh’s 17.

Milton Doyle of the JackJumpers looks on during game one of the NBL Semifinal series between Perth Wildcats and Tasmania Jackjumpers. Picture: Will Russell/Getty Images.

TASSIE STILL ALIVE

The JackJumper will be confident of levelling the series with a win in Game 2 at MyState Arena on Monday.

When McVeigh knocked down the first six points of the final term on Friday, he gave his side the lead.

The momentum was with the visitors after Lee added the next four points. They led by six points.

If required, a third and deciding game will be played back at Perth’s RAC Arena on Wednesday.

Corey Webster of the Wildcats works to the basket during game one of the NBL Semifinal series between Perth Wildcats and Tasmania Jackjumpers at RAC Arena. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images.

EXTENDED BREAK NOT AN ISSUE EARLY

There were concerns that having to wait three weeks between games would have an impact on the Wildcats.

It’s difficult to tell whether the extended break was an issue or not.

Before Friday night, the Cats previous time on the court was the 14-point loss the JackJumpers on 17 February in Round 20. Tasmania beat Illawarra Hawks in the seeding game on 28 February.

Scores were tied 24-24 at quarter-time on Friday night, although Perth had led by six points with less than two minutes to play.

It was a strange start, with 19 fouls called in the first 10 minutes.

Perth went to the free throw line 15 times (for 14 points).

The JackJumpers went eight from nine attempts from the bonus line.

In the two games during the season that Perth beat Tasmania, the JackJumpers had led at the first break.

Originally published as Perth Wildcats nudge ahead of Tasmiania Jackjumpers in first NBL semi-final 89-81