DrinkWise Preview: Semi Final Game 3 v Tasmania JackJumpers

Written by Melbourne United Media

It’s do or die for Melbourne United as they look to punch their ticket to their second consecutive NBL Grand Final on Monday night at John Cain Arena.

After falling just short in their Game 2 matchup against the Tasmania JackJumpers, United will regroup and rally with the support of their home-town fans.

Wearing their Multicultural Jerseys, which they have never lost in across the past two postseasons, Melbourne will look to take what they’ve learnt across their five games against the JJs into this critical Game 3.

For Tassie, after securing the side’s first ever finals victory, they will look to continue their momentum on the road.

PLAYER TO WATCH

After being challenged to be more aggressive by Head Coach Dean Vickerman, Caleb Agada has provided a huge scoring punch for Melbourne.

Over his past three games, CA has returned to his early season form, scoring 17.3 points and pulling down 6.7 rebounds per game.

His ability to attack mismatches has been huge against the JJs, as Agada has bullied smaller defenders for buckets around the hoop, and splashed triples when faced with a bigger matchup.

Look for Agada to once again provide an energy boost whenever he’s on the court in Game 3.

KEY MATCHUP

A must-watch matchup on Monday night will go down at the guard spot, as Shea Ili looks to continue his brilliant work on Josh Adams.

The league’s best defensive guard (and arguably its best defensive player), Ili has frustrated the JJs All-NBL import so far this series.

In Game Two United’s stopper clamped down on Adams, limiting him to just six points on two of eight shooting, while forcing four turnovers.

On the other end, Ili constantly found lanes to the basket against Adams, connecting on five of his six attempts inside the paint for 11 points.

THE OTHER GUYS

Clutch shooting sunk United down the stretch, as Tassie’s shooters came up big in the fourth quarter.

Jack McVeigh, Josh Magette and MiKyle McIntosh all connected on deep threes in the final term, helping the JJs hold onto the win at home.

Inside, Fabijan Krslovic and Jarred Bairstow were able to hold their own in the paint, which will be crucial if the underdogs want to keep the game competitive.

The question remains whether Matt Kenyon can replicate his form from Game 2 heading into Melbourne, after he scored 10 points without missing a shot on Saturday night.

GAME INFO

Who: Melbourne United vs Tasmania JackJumpers

Tip off: 7.30pm (AEST), Monday 2 May, 2022

Where: John Cain Arena, Melbourne

Watch: Australia - ESPN via Kayo Freebies and Foxtel. International - NBL YouTube