DrinkWise Preview: NBL24 - Round 5, Game 1 v Tasmania JackJumpers

Melbourne United will aim to avenge their one and only loss of the NBL24 season thus far on Friday night when they face the Tasmania JackJumpers on the road.

United are undefeated in their three games away from John Cain Arena, while the JJs are yet to lose a matchup at home.

The last time the two sides met inside MyState Bank Arena, United took home an important victory behind 23 points and five three pointers from Chris Goulding.

Friday night will also see Dean Vickerman celebrate his 300th game as a head coach in the NBL.

PLAYER TO WATCH

After only managing a six-point performance in their last meeting with Tasmania, Luke Travers will be hoping to carry his more recent form into the matchup.

Across Round 4, ‘LT’ averaged 15.5 points, 5.5 rebounds and 3 steals per game, leading from the front in United’s pair of wins.

Capable of changing the game at both ends of the floor, look for Travers to impose himself on the game from the opening whistle.

KEY MATCHUP

After making his return in Round 4, Jo Lual-Acuil Jr looks to have not lost a step as he comes back from a wrist injury sustained in the offseason.

The former MVP finalist averaged 14 points in 18 minutes per game across his pair of games, and will look to keep up this momentum when he matches up with former United import Marcus Lee.

Now playing on the apple isle, Lee will have his hands full trying to stop ‘JLA’, as well as MU next Star Ariel Hukporti.

Having committed the third most fouls in the league this season, Lee must stay on the court for Tasmania to have a chance at beating the ladder-leaders.

THE OTHER GUYS

Boasting one of the most potent scoring duos in the league, the JJs backcourt combination of Milton Doyle (19.0 points per game) and Jordon Crawford (20.3 points per game) are able to put points on the board in bunches.

Jack McVeigh, Clint Steindl and Anthony Drmic all present dangers for Melbourne with their outside shooting, while Majok Deng is proving to be a consistent threat off the bench.

Also bringing firepower off the bench is Fabijan Krslovic and Sean MacDonald, who each possess the ability to drop in big shots from beyond the arc.

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GAME INFO

Who: Melbourne United vs Tasmania JackJumpers

Tip-off: 7:30pm AEDT, Sunday 27 October, 2023

Where: MyState Bank Arena, Glenorchy

Watch: ESPN via Kayo and Foxtel