JackJumpers wishing Illawarra Hawks a silent night at their home deck in first of Christmas double-header

The JackJumpers couldn’t be happier with the impact of one of their big men who has won plenty of plaudits for leading the second unit.

HOBART, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 17: Marcus Lee of the Jackjumpers looks to pass during the round 11 NBL match between Tasmania Jackjumpers and Sydney Kings at MyState Bank Arena, on December 17, 2023, in Hobart, Australia. (Photo by Steve Bell/Getty Images)

Powerful centre Marcus Lee will play a key role in the JackJumpers’ road trip to NSW to take on the Hawks on Saturday night before the team heads home for a Christmas Day showdown with South East Melbourne Phoenix at MyState Bank Arena.

After back-to-back losses to the Wildcats in Perth and Sydney Kings in Hobart, the fourth-placed JackJumpers have worked on their weaknesses leading into a crucial double-header this weekend.

“It would be great to get a double,” said assistant-coach Jarrad Weeks.

“We’re focused on Illawarra first – the old saying one game at a time – and we can’t be looking too far forward.

“December is a big month – we have a lot of games this month – and Illawarra is the next one on the board.”

Standing 6f11 with a wingspan of 7f3, Lee was recruited from Melbourne United to bolster the JackJumpers’ offense.

HOBART, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 17: Marcus Lee of the Jackjumpers looks to pass during the round 11 NBL match between Tasmania Jackjumpers and Sydney Kings at MyState Bank Arena, on December 17, 2023, in Hobart, Australia. (Photo by Steve Bell/Getty Images)

He has averaged 15 minutes oncourt this season, compared to Jordon Crawford’s 31m56s, coming off the bench, and shot six points and had six rebounds against the Kings.

“A strength of our team is our depth and the guys that are performing are the ones that are going to keep playing,” Weeks said.

“Credit to Marcus, he’s leading the bench, he’s always up and engaged. He’s been good for us and we’re hoping for a lot out of him this weekend.”

HOBART, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 02: Marcus Lee of the Jackjumpers gets the rebound during the round nine NBL match between Tasmania Jackjumpers and Adelaide 36ers at MyState Bank Arena, on December 02, 2023, in Hobart, Australia. (Photo by Steve Bell/Getty Images)

Coach Scott Roth labelled the team’s passing as “sloppy” against the Kings.

“Having 19 turnovers it’s not really characteristic for us – it was the most in club history so obviously not a great time for us flipping the ball around but we’ve had a high focus on that this week,” Weeks said.

“Anytime you give teams extra possessions it makes it hard for yourselves.”

Weeks said the Hawks were a “revitalised team and playing with a lot of confidence”.

“Sometimes that can come just from a new coach and a fresh look, and they are playing with a little bit more discipline now and are very intense on the defensive end,” Weeks said.

“Justin Robinson, Tyler Harvey and Gary Clark are playing some good basketball for them and Sam Froling is a big body in the middle.

“We are going to have our hands full.”

The JackJumpers are hoping their Christmas wish comes true _ a win in front of home fans.

“We’ve got our morning with the families and it will be exciting to do that and then it’s get to work,” Week said.

“We’ve got South-East Melbourne and it’s going to be exciting to see the crowd, we’re hoping for another sell-out, and we’ve got our great Christmas jerseys so we’re excited to get into the ‘jolly’ spirit.”