The Tasmania JackJumpers and the Sydney Kings are gearuing up to face off in a thrilling NBL match this Friday night, the 6th of October, 2023. Both teams have been in cracking form this season, with the JackJumpers in 8th and the Kings sitting in 3rd.
It’s a local match for the JackJumpers. It’s being played at the MyState Bank Arena in Hobart, where they’ll have a strong home advantage. The Kings will be set to not be intimidated though, as they have won their last three games on the road.
This match is shaping up to be a high-scoring affair with both teams offering some of the best offensive players in the league.
But who will come out on top in this epic clash? Let’s dive in and find out more about both teams, their strengths and weaknesses and who the bookies are predicting to win.
Why I think the Kings will get up:
The Sydney Kings have been in great form lately. They’ve won four of their last five games and climbed to third on the NBL ladder. They got a balanced and experienced roster, led by the veteran guard Casper Ware, who is averaging 19.6 points and 5.4 assists per game. The Kings also have very a strong frontcourt led by Jarell Martin and Xavier Cooks who provide size, athleticism and versatility.
The JackJumpers, on the other hand, have struggled to find consistency in their debut season. They have lost three of their last four games and are sitting at third last on the table. They have a young and inexperienced team, with only two players over the age of 25. They also rely heavily on their star import Josh Magette, who is leading the league in assists with 8.2 per game, but also gives away 3.8 turnovers per game.
Here are some reasons why I think the Kings will get up:
- The Kings have a clear edge in shooting efficiency. They rank second in the league in field goal percentage (47.8%) and three-point percentage (38.9%), while the JackJumpers rank last in both categories (41.9% and 31.3% respectively).
- The Kings have more depth and experience. They have nine players who average more than 10 minutes per game, while the JackJumpers have only six. The Kings also have four players who have played more than 100 NBL games, while the JackJumpers have none.
- The Kings have a better record on the road. They have won three of their four away games this season, while the JackJumpers have lost three of their four home games.
Why I think the JackJumpers will get up:
The JackJumpers are coming off a thrilling win over the Wildcats in their last game. They showed grit, resilience and teamwork. They have a balanced roster with players who can score, defend and rebound. The coach, Scott Roth, has instilled a culture of hard work and discipline in the team. They also have the home court advantage, playing in front of the passionate Tassie fans.
Why I think the JackJumpers could also get up are:
- There’s a strong backcourt with Josh Adams and Clint Steindl, who both create their own shots and can hit from long range.
- They also have a versatile frontcourt with Will Magnay and Sam McDaniel protecting the rim and can stretch the floor.
- The JackJumpers have a deep bench with players like Jarrod Kenny, Fabijan Krslovic and Majok Majok providing energy and impact in limited minutes.
- They have a favourable matchup against the Kings, who are struggling with injuries and inconsistency. The Kings have lost four of their last five games, and their star guard Casper Ware is doubtful for this game.
- There’s definite motivation to win this game. They’re fighting to get out of a rut in 8th spot and want to prove themselves against one of the league’s powerhouses.
What do the bookies say?
The bookies are clearly favouring the Sydney Kings this weekend. The Kings are flying high with a 9-1 record, while the JackJumpers are struggling near the bottom with a 2-8 record. The Kings have also won their last five games against the JackJumpers, including a 112-89 blowout in their previous encounter on the 22nd of September.
The JackJumpers have to improve their defence and rebounding if they want to challenge the Kings, especially against a balanced and potent offence led by star guard Jalen Adams.
The average across the bookies is odds of 1.20 for a Kings win and 4.50 for a JackJumpers win, with a point spread of -12.5 for the Kings and +12.5 for the JackJumpers.
Sportsbet tell a closer story, with the Kings at $1.83 and Tassie at $1.97. It will certainly pay to choose who you put your bet down with!
At the end of the day, it’s anyone’s game really!
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