New Zealand win fourth straight game with 98-93 win over Tasmania

New Zealand entered the clash against Tasmania with a horrible record at MyState Bank Arena but it mattered little in the New Year’s Day NBL clash.

HOBART, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 01: Parker Jackson-Cartwright of the Breakers drives to the basket during the round 13 NBL match between Tasmania Jackjumpers and New Zealand Breakers at MyState Bank Arena, on January 01, 2024, in Hobart, Australia. (Photo by Steve Bell/Getty Images)

New Zealand’s mid-season hot streak has continued in the first NBL clash of 2024, with the Breakers win over Tasmania at MyState Bank Arena doubling as their fourth straight.

In a clash full of twists and turns, it was the visitors who rebounded from a slow start to win 98-93 and put a horror run of form at the venue behind them.

Heading into the matchup with a 1-11 record in Tasmania, the win was New Zealand’s first over the JackJumpers on their home floor after previously defeating Illawarra at MyState Bank Arena during the Covid season.

HOBART, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 01: Jack McVeigh of the Jackjumpers blocks Anthony Lamb of the Breakers during the round 13 NBL match between Tasmania Jackjumpers and New Zealand Breakers at MyState Bank Arena, on January 01, 2024, in Hobart, Australia. (Photo by Steve Bell/Getty Images)

Imports Parker Jackson-Cartwright (27 points, six rebounds, three assists) and Anthony Lamb (18 points, six rebounds, three assists) were both major factors in a win that came against an undermanned JackJumpers outfit.

Already missing Majok Deng, big man Will Magnay was also ruled out pre-match but this didn’t stop the home side from starting the game exactly how coach Scott Roth would have liked.

They went on a 20-8 run before a massive spray directed at Lamb from coach Mody Maor during a time-out saw the exact response he was after.

New Zealand pegged back the deficit to go in down by six at the first break before tying up the ball-game at halftime.

They would then take the first lead of the game early in the third which ended with a season-high 30 for the quarter – thanks in part to a 14-point term from Jackson-Cartwright.

Heading into the last with a six-point advantage, the Breakers were challenged throughout by the JackJumpers with six lead changes.

Confusion reigned midway through the quarter on a Marcus Lee foul – his potential fifth of the game – that was eventually overturned.

It didn’t matter though, as the American was eventually fouled out down the stretch.

That gave the Breakers the lead they needed with two missed threes from both Milton Doyle and Jordon Crawford down the stretch ruling out any chance of a JackJumpers win.

Both faced tough nights on the floor with Doyle (12 points) going at just 5-16 and Crawford (six points) a season low 2-13.

HOBART, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 01: Jordon Crawford of the Jackjumpers drives to the basket during the round 13 NBL match between Tasmania Jackjumpers and New Zealand Breakers at MyState Bank Arena, on January 01, 2024, in Hobart, Australia. (Photo by Steve Bell/Getty Images)

With both imports failing to fire, it left development player Sean McDonald to give Tasmania a pulse throughout.

He put in a career-best game with 23 points and an impressive 7-9 from three point range while vice-captain Jack McVeigh (17 points) and Lee (14 points) were also influential throughout.

The loss was the JackJumpers second in a row at home with Tasmania (10-9) now slipping to fourth on the table ahead of a clash with Cairns on Saturday night.

The Breakers (8-9) now sit in sixth and will face Perth at home on Sunday.