Tasmania JackJumpers coach Scott Roth believes his side has ‘mastered the art of being inconsistent’ after another close loss

Despite once again praising their fight, Tasmania JackJumpers coach Scott Roth has labelled his side ‘inconsistent’ after another single figure NBL loss.

“We’ve mastered the art of being inconsistent.”

That’s the latest message from Tasmania JackJumpers coach Scott Roth following his side’s four-point loss to New Zealand on Friday night.

Coming into the clash full of momentum after a 21-point win over Melbourne United last Friday night, the JackJumpers were slow to get out of the blocks and faced an 18-point deficit at halftime.

Scott Roth addresses his side during the round 17 NBL match between New Zealand Breakers and Tasmania JackJumpers at Eventfinda Stadium, on January 26, 2024, in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Dave Rowland/Getty Images)

But in typical Tasmania fashion, they clawed their way back with a 49-37 second-half that included limiting the Breakers to just 12 third quarter points.

It didn’t end up being enough though with their 12th loss of the season – all by under 10 points – leaving Roth once again proud but disappointed post-match.

“I thought they (New Zealand) just played much more aggressively in the first half than us,” Roth said.

“And I think it was 10 of 14 from the three ball and that just put us in a big deficit.

“It’s kind of old news but I’m really proud of our guys, we lost, but a lot of teams would have lost by 25-30 (points). They just keep doing the right things and grinding games out. It isn’t pretty and I’d love to get those (games) across the line but we just have to tidy up some things.

“We’ve mastered the art of being inconsistent and we just have a hard time trying to build momentum or string things together. We have had different opportunities during the course of the season where we haven’t been able to do that.

“With four games left we still have a tough schedule and tough games, and I think there is a level of frustration with that (the inconsistency), but our competitive edge seems to always be there for the most part which is a good sign.”

Disappointed Tasmania players after defeat in the round 17 NBL match between New Zealand Breakers and Tasmania JackJumpers at Eventfinda Stadium, on January 26, 2024, in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Dave Rowland/Getty Images)

Still sitting three wins behind Perth (15-8) in third place (12-12), Roth added that while he wasn’t sure if that’s where they would remain come season’s end that he still believed his side was capable of challenging both the Wildcats and first place United (17-6).

“There is no use looking down the schedule because at the end of the day, especially this year, there is a bunch of teams in the mix,” Roth said.

“At the end of the 28th game we will be where we deserve to be. I have no idea where that is but we are capable at times of being quite dangerous and strong in a lot of areas, and then we have moments where we fight like hell but just can’t get the little things connecting, and that might just be the story of the season.”

The JackJumpers will next face Cairns on Thursday night before returning home to MyState Bank Arena against Adelaide next Sunday.