Rucker's top six pick

Derek Rucker believes the fight for sixth position between the Tasmania JackJumpers and Adelaide 36ers is going to be an almighty battle as the season comes to a close.

Tasmania is clinging onto sixth with a 12-13 record and 97.08%, with Adelaide in seventh at 11-13 and 97.06%.

The 1990 MVP is swaying towards the 36ers to eventually overtake the JackJumpers and make the finals, as the defending champions continue to deal with injuries to key players.

“It’s between them (JackJumpers) and Adelaide. You’ve got two teams vying for that final Play-In spot, I think the other five are set,” Rucker said on Moments That Mattered.

“I just don’t know where Tassie get enough scoring from. I don’t know how they accumulate enough victories. I have them winning one more game.

“Then it’s just a matter of how many Adelaide win.”

The JackJumpers are doing everything they can to avoid a ladder slide without Will Magnay, Sean Macdonald and Majok Deng. But the unknown of when those players will return makes it hard for Rucker to picture Tasmania in the Finals.

“It’s really hard without Majok Deng. Obviously losing Will Magnay is massive but there is some talk that Will Magnay may return,” Rucker said.

“I have a lot more confidence in Adelaide being able to get three victories in their run home. Even in a tie breaker situation, I think Adelaide are going to pound teams. And if a tie breaker comes down to those two teams, I think the percentage is going to go in Adelaide’s favour.”