NBL champ has Tasmania jumpin' up ladder

• JackJumpers win 8th straight, move to 11-8
• Milton Doyle has Tasmania firing at the right time
• Brisbane loses third straight

Here come the reigning NBL champions. Tasmania JackJumpers have now won eight on the bounce after dominating the Brisbane Bullets 95-86 (Game Centre) at MyState Bank Arena in round 14 on Sunday, December 29, 2024.

The win improves Tasmania's record to 11-8, while staying perfect at home this season.

Milton Doyle emerged as the standout performer for Tasmania, pouring in a game-high 23 points on efficient 7-from-16 shooting, including a perfect 7-of-7 from the free-throw line. Doyle's ability to create his own shot and get to the line was instrumental in maintaining the JackJumpers' lead throughout the contest.

The JackJumpers set the tone early, edging out a slim 22-21 lead after the first quarter. They extended their advantage in the second period, taking a 52-44 lead into halftime. Tasmania further assert their dominance in he third quarter, outscoring Brisbane 18-14 to build a comfortable 12-point cushion heading into the final frame.

The Bullets weren't going down without a fight. Led by the dynamic Keandre Cook, who finished with a team-high 20 points, Brisbane mounted a spirited comeback in the fourth quarter. They managed to narrow the gap, but the JackJumpers' balanced attack and strong bench performance ultimately proved too much to overcome.

The JackJumpers shot an impressive 46% from the field compared to the Bullets' 43%, and dominated in points in the paint with 54 to Brisbane's 40.

Perhaps most crucially, Tasmania's bench outscored Brisbane's reserves by a staggering 36 points, highlighting the depth and versatility of the JackJumpers' roster.

Anthony Drmic provided a significant spark off the bench for Tasmania, contributing 19 points on an efficient 8-from-13 shooting.

For Brisbane, despite the loss, there were positive takeaways. Tyrell Harrison posted a double-double with 15 points and 12 rebounds, showcasing his importance in the paint for the Bullets without star guard James Batemon, who is gone for the season. The Bullets were also without NBL Next Star Rocco Zikarsky, who missed his second straight ball game.

But Josh Bannan impressed with 17 points in just under 24 minutes of play, providing a glimpse of his potential as a scoring threat.

Looking ahead, the JackJumpers will aim to build on this momentum as they continue to consolidate a top-four spot in the NBL standings.

For the Bullets, this loss is a setback in their own playoff aspirations. They are in 7th position with 9-10 record.

NBL25 continues on Monday night with the Sydney Kings facing the Adelaide 36ers (Game Centre) at 7:30pm AEDT at Qudos Bank Arena.