Jordon Crawford sets new scoring 'bench mark'

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Jordon Crawford sets new scoring 'bench mark'

Highlights

Tasmania's Jordan Crawford comes off bench to spark 5th straight win

Thirty-four-year-old American guard Jordon Crawford exploded off the bench with 24 points in just 22 minutes to propel the Tasmania JackJumpers to a monster road win against the slumping New Zealand Breakers in Round 12 of NBL25.

The Tasmania JackJumpers maintained complete control from start to finish (Game Centre), securing their fifth consecutive NBL victory 100-76. New Zealand have now lost five straight.

Crawford came in averaging 13.9 points per game.

Jordon Crawford of the Jackjumpers takes the ball to the basket during the round 12 NBL match between New Zealand Breakers and Tasmania Jackjumpers at Eventfinda Stadium, on December 12, 2024, in Auckland, New Zealand. Photo: Phil Walter/Getty Images

The Breakers returned to Auckland, playing at EventFinda Stadium, eager to break their losing streak. But the JackJumpers riding a four-game winning streak, jumped out to an 11-4 lead and never looked back, ultimately getting out to a 26-point lead before closing out a dominant 24-point winners.

The win moves the JackJumpers to 8-8. Shooting 53 per cent from the field helped offset struggles at the free-throw line (20/31), with Will Magnay going just 4-of-12. Tasmania's out-rebounded the Breakers 40-33, with 11 offensive boards leading to 14 second-chance points, and 20 points off 13 Breakers turnovers.

Crawford starred off the bench for just the second time in his career, pouring in 24 points and four assists, with 22 of his points coming in a red-hot first half. Crawford finished 7-from-15 from the field, including 3-from-9 from three.

Sean Macdonald added 17 points, shooting 4-from-6 from beyond the arc, while Craig Sword contributed 13 points and two rebounds. Milton Doyle chipped in 10 points and seven assists, and Will Magnay added six points, eight assists, six rebounds, and a block.

JackJumpers coach Scott Roth was full of praise for his team and staff: "A tremendous amount of credit goes to the players. I'm not a very good coach — probably the 20th best coach in the NBL — but I've got the best coaching staff in the league. Their work habits to get these guys ready every night are a pleasure to work with. The players believe in the system and what we do, and you slowly reap the rewards. But we're a long way from being the finished product."

Will Magnay of the Jackjumpers finishes at the rim against Tai Wynard of the Breakers during the round 12 NBL match between New Zealand Breakers and Tasmania Jackjumpers at Eventfinda Stadium, on December 12, 2024, in Auckland, New Zealand. Photo: Phil Walter/Getty Images

The Breakers fall to 7-8 as shooting woes plagued their performance, going just 4-from-29 (13 per cent) from three-point range.

Tacko Fall seems to be settling in, starting the game and contributing 16 points and four rebounds in 18 minutes. Matt Mooney added 13 points, and Parker Jackson-Cartwright chipped in with 11.

Breakers coach Petteri Koponen acknowledged the offensive struggles but emphasised Fall's impact: "Offensively, he's a mismatch and generates a lot of open looks when they collapse. We just need to knock down some shots. It's a confidence thing. When we get better and make some shots, basketball becomes easier. But the main issue right now is our defence."

Tacko Fall of the Breakers dunks the ball during the round 12 NBL match between New Zealand Breakers and Tasmania Jackjumpers at Eventfinda Stadium, on December 12, 2024, in Auckland, New Zealand. Photo: Phil Walter/Getty Images

The start of the game was delayed because the shot clock needed to be fixed, but the JackJumpers quickly found their rhythm. Sean Macdonald knocked down a couple of early threes to help Tasmania to an 11-4 lead. While Max Darling’s three-point play briefly cut the deficit to four, the JackJumpers responded with a 9-0 run, including a triple from Anthony Drmic, to lead by 10 after the first quarter.

Tasmania opened the second quarter with a 5-0 run to stretch their lead to 17 points. Despite a solid stretch from Tacko Fall, who scored six straight points to cut the margin to 11, the JackJumpers stayed composed. Highlights included an alley-oop dunk by Magnay, assisted by Doyle, and a dominant scoring burst from Crawford, who piled up 14 points in minutes. By halftime, Tasmania led 59-42.

The Breakers attempted to adjust in the second half, going small to push the pace, and opened with quick buckets from Jonah Bolden and Mooney. But the JackJumpers had answers at every turn, maintaining a 15-point cushion by the end of the third quarter. From there, Tasmania cruised to victory.

The Breakers now travel to Adelaide to face the returning Montrezl Harrell and the 36ers (Game Centre) on Saturday, December 14, 2024 while the JackJumpers don't play again until Christmas Eve, Eve — Monday, December 23, 2024 when they go on the road to Melbourne United (Game Centre) in Melbourne.