Steindl laments Round 1 "defensive breakdowns"

A six-point loss to the Perth Wildcats last week has interrupted the JackJumpers’ positive start to NBL24.

But a home-opener at MyState Bank Arena may just do the trick to helping turn things around, and captain Clint Steindl believes the side's biggest problems last week were self-inflicted on the defensive end.

“It was defensive breakdowns and the way we viewed it was that it was our errors and not them (Perth) doing anything special,” Steindl told The Mercury of his side's opening round loss.

“If we stay solid in that area you can wipe 15-20 points off the board. We gave up over 100 (points), so if we can fix up those then you are back to playing sub-90 and you can win basketball games that way. 

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Final preparations for tonight.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/fearthesting?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#fearthesting</a> <a href="https://t.co/re4iFvMkMs">pic.twitter.com/re4iFvMkMs</a></p>&mdash; Tasmania JackJumpers ? (@JackJumpers) <a href="https://twitter.com/JackJumpers/status/1710100114801656261?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 6, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The JackJumpers are preparing to host reigning champions and fierce rivals Sydney at MyState Bank Arena, who defeated Tasmania in its inaugural NBL season to claim the title.

Since then the Kings have defeated Steindl and his charges in six of their past seven meetings - a record Steindl is keen to see the back of.

"They’ve come in here a few times and have jumped us and we haven’t been able to recover from it so from the opening tip we have to be ready,” Steindl said.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Friday night hoops ?<br> <br>First up the JackJumpers play their home opener against the Kings in an NBL22 Finals rematch, before the 36ers travel west to face the Wildcats in front of the fearsome Red Army?<br> <br>Live coverage from 7pm AEDT on ESPN via Kayo. Tip-off from 7:30pm ? <a href="https://t.co/EEbTrJDA3M">pic.twitter.com/EEbTrJDA3M</a></p>&mdash; NBL (@NBL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL/status/1710056964435193987?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 5, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Tasmania has entered the season with a 3-0 Blitz record, and finished third on the ladder after the Perth Wildcats, who they faced in the opening round, and Melbourne United.

Catch Tasmania taking on the Kings tonight at 7:30pm AEDT, live on ESPN via Kayo.