Why experts believe in JackJumpers

The Tasmania JackJumpers are holding onto 6th spot heading into tonight's clash with the New Zealand Breakers, and despite several key players out with injury, the experts are confident in Scott Roth's squad. 

“They’ve got 12 wins already, they only really have to win two. If they win two, they’re gonna be in there,” Pete Hooley said on NBL Overtime. 

With the JackJumpers' style of play, 2001 NBL Champion Damon Lowery believes they will be a handful to deal with in the post-season.

“The Tasmania JackJumpers are the team you do not want to play if you are undisciplined. Because guess what? They are the most disciplined team in the league,” Lowery said. 

“They’re gonna grind you down, nobody is going to try and go one-on-one, iso ball heavy, the Jackies way is going to rise to the forefront while you’re over here playing one-on-one basketball - if those shots are missing, they’re gonna make you bleed on the defensive end.”

The JackJumpers went on a winning rampage with eight straight victories to revive their season after a slow start. 

Unfortunately for Tasmania, the injury bug has since hit, with Will Magnay and Sean Macdonald out for the regular season and Majok Deng absent for tonight's game in New Zealand.

However, Lowery says the impending returns of their stars will only make the JackJumpers more dangerous.

“Once the Playoffs start we know what we’re gonna get from them. If Will Magnay shows up, you better believe they are a legitimate chance,” he said. 

“When they’ve got the ball and you’re on their island, you got no chance. You gotta hope they miss, that’s all you can do.”

The JackJumpers take on the Breakers on Thursday night at 5:30pm AEDT, live on ESPN.