JackJumpers look to rebound against Adelaide following Cairns loss

After having its three-game win streak broken by Cairns, the Tasmania JackJumpers will be hoping another road trip will get them back on the winners list on Monday night. See who they face.

HOBART, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 17: Jack McVeigh of the Jackjumpers reacts during the round 11 NBL match between Tasmania Jackjumpers and Cairns Taipans at MyState Bank Arena, on December 17, 2022, in Hobart, Australia. (Photo by Steve Bell/Getty Images)

After having their three-game win streak broken by Cairns, the Tasmania JackJumpers will be hoping another road trip will get them back on the winners list on Monday night.

The JackJumpers face the Adelaide 36ers at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre in what will be their second game in just three days following Saturday night’s nine-point loss to the Taipans.

Playing their first game at MyState Bank Arena in 42 days, the JackJumpers looked set to record a fourth straight win before a last-quarter surge from the visitors shocked last year’s grand finalists and gave Cairns its 10th win of the season.

HOBART, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 17: Bul Kuol of the Taipans drives to the basket during the round 11 NBL match between Tasmania Jackjumpers and Cairns Taipans at MyState Bank Arena, on December 17, 2022, in Hobart, Australia. (Photo by Steve Bell/Getty Images)

“It was a classic NBL game where it was a grind that really came down to the last two or three minutes,” JackJumpers coach Scott Roth said post-game.

“I think they are one of the best teams in the league, if not the best, because they have size, athletic ability and they are tough to handle and I just thought they played very well.

“The ball got quite stagnate for us in the fourth quarter in general and we didn’t make any shots and we weren’t able to contain them in the last two or three minutes so credit to them but I thought our guys fought extremely hard but we weren’t smart at times. We had opportunities but they were just better than us really.”

After playing road games for the last month, the JackJumpers will now have to contend with a Christmas schedule that includes four games in 12 days starting with the clash against the 36ers.

“We are just trying to navigate this period. I’ve said throughout the season the teams that are able to navigate through those tough times or that go through struggles or bounce around with travel (will be there come finals),” Roth said.

HOBART, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 17: Scott Roth Head Coach of the Taipans talks to his players during the round 11 NBL match between Tasmania Jackjumpers and Cairns Taipans at MyState Bank Arena, on December 17, 2022, in Hobart, Australia. (Photo by Steve Bell/Getty Images)

“It’s Christmas time and there is a lot of games coming and whatever team is able to do that is going to have the chance to get into the playoffs. The games will come fast and furious and there is no easy games on the schedule.”

Tip off is at 7:30pm against Adelaide before the Jackies return home to face the bottom placed Illawarra on Thursday night at MyState Bank Arena.