JackJumpers beat Bullets for eighth straight

The defending NBL champion Tasmania JackJumpers end 2024 as the hottest team this season with an eighth straight win with Sunday's 95-86 home win against the Brisbane Bullets.

The JackJumpers did maintain a degree of control in the contest the whole way leading by as much as 15 points and winning by nine as their championship defence gathers more momentum with the eighth consecutive win.

The Bullets suffered a second straight loss while missing that one extra scoring threat in the absence of the injured James Batemon with his replacement yet to arrive.

Tasmania were in control throughout the first half and went into the break leading 52-44 on the back of taking 16 extra shots than Brisbane thanks to 12 offensive rebounds for 14 second chance points.

The Bullets stayed in touch thanks to getting to the foul line 15 times but the visitors were finding it tough to get into an offensive flow against the defending champs.

That trend continued into the third quarter with the Bullets unable to find a way to fully capitalise on their advantage inside with Tyrell Harrison (15 points, 12 rebounds) with Tasmania still missing pivotal centre Will Magnay.

Tasmania's lead grew to 15 in the third quarter and the Bullets could never get closer than six despite 28 fourth quarter points with the reigning champs improving to 11-8.

The JackJumpers again outworked their opponents with 17 offensive rebounds for 16 second chance points while having just nine turnovers and scoring 54 points in the paint to 40.

Milton Doyle put up 23 points, five rebounds and three assists with Anthony Drmic adding 19 points and five boards, Majok Deng 16 points and four rebounds, and Jordon Crawford 13 points and eight assists.

It was a happy JackJumpers coach Scott Roth afterwards.

"My group's had three games in about seven days starting with United and then the Christmas game so I'm really happy to get through this stretch," he said.

"We still have areas that are concerning but overall I just think we have different guys stepping up and we're system oriented, and it's not always pretty but I'm obviously quite happy to get across the line."

Brisbane have now lost two straight this weekend after a run of winning five of six having shot just 43 per cent as a team despite going 24/31 at the foul line.

Keandre Cook top-scored with 20 points with Casey Prather putting up another 18 with seven rebounds, and Josh Bannan 17 points and six boards.

It was the second quarter which Bullets coach Justin Schueller immediately pointed to.

"It's second quarter frustration where we had given up 14 points on second chances by half-time and gave them seven offensive rebounds in that quarter," he said.

"Most of them they convert to a three and we spoke about them needing the three-point line and second chances to beat us, and they go and do it so full credit to Tassie for how they play."

Coming into the game on a seven-game winning run, the JackJumpers started well with an 11-5 opening including Milton Doyle banking in a three-pointer.

That would be Tasmania's only three of the first quarter and the Bullets did well to keep pace firstly with threes to Keandre Cook and Isaac White before a couple of buckets to Josh Bannan, and then two inside to Tyrell Harrison.

Tasmania were still leading 22-21 by the end of one with Majok Deng scoring on the buzzer before the JackJumpers threatened to take charge early in the second opening up an eight-point edge with Jordon Crawford landing a three ball.

Brisbane dug deep to stay in touch including with a four-point play from White but Crawford, Doyle and Sean Macdonald all hit from deep to close the half for Tasmania to see them go into the break leading 52-44.

The JackJumpers took further control in the third quarter with a 6-0 run sparked by Gorjok Gak seeing the lead out to 13 points. It soon became 15 and was still 12 by three quarter-time on the back of holding Brisbane to 14 points and just two made field goals.

The Bullets did make a charge in the fourth quarter and with 13 quick points they had closed the deficit to seven before Tasmania answered with a couple of three balls to Anthony Drmic.

Brisbane kept on coming and were within six with just under three minutes to play, but again the JackJumpers responded to end up scoring the nine-point win.

The JackJumpers remain at home to prepare to host the South East Melbourne Phoenix next Sunday while the Bullets have until Saturday to play again when they are at home to the Sydney Kings.

HUNGRY JACK'S NBL SEASON 2024/25

TASMANIA JACKJUMPERS 95 (Doyle 23, Drmic 19, Deng 16)

BRISBANE BULLETS 86 (Cook 20, Prather 18, Bannan 17)

BOX SCORE