DrinkWise game preview: Round 16 - Wildcats v JackJumpers

The Wildcats are hunting a fifth win in six games amid a tough seven-game stretch on the road as the team welcomes big man Kristian Doolittle back from a groin injury.

Doolittle hasn’t featured since the December 6 loss to Illawarra at RAC Arena, with fellow import Dylan Windler excited to have him back in the line-up.

“We all have different skill sets that mesh well together,” Windler said.

“So having all three of us out on the floor at the same time is very beneficial for the team. I think we play really well together and feed off each other’s energy.

“Obviously Bryce (Cotton) playing on the ball is an elite scorer. I think KD and I help him to get off the ball a little bit, help him to score and make it easier for him to score. When he’s getting doubled, we get him off the ball, create for him and we can create our own shots as well when he’s getting tired.

“Defensively, I think me and KD can guard multiple positions, help to guard a lot of space on the floor with our length and make it hard on teams when we are switching.”

Wildcats coach John Rillie said the team would take a cautious approach with Doolittle’s minutes as he build match fitness following more than a month without playing.

“We’ve got to be mindful of him coming back after an extended period on the sidelines,” Rillie said.

“He’s usually someone who you are logging 33-36 minutes a game. It would be unfair on him for me to think we can just throw him into the deep end but then also, thinking about our next 10 or 12 days in how we can progress him through those.

“It’s great to have Kristian back. It’s his importance both offensively and defensively. He’s our team’s leading rebounder so to bring that back into the group is nice. I’m looking forward to that.” 

Just one win separates the third-placed Wildcats (12-9) and sixth-ranked JackJumpers (11-10).

Sunday’s game is the first leg of a five-day road double-header, with Brisbane Bullets up next at Brisbane Entertainment Centre on Wednesday.

Guard Tai Webster (hamstring) remains sidelined for the trip.

Tasmania have been dealing with injuries of their own, with Sean Macdonald ruled out for the season with a foot injury.

Boomers big man Will Magnay (toe) is also out.

Game details

Who: Perth Wildcats vs Tasmania JackJumpers

When: 11.30am WST Sunday 12 January

Where: MyState Bank Arena, Hobart

Watch: Live on ESPN (via Kayo or Foxtel) and Channel 10/10 Play

Opposition watch

After getting their season back on track with an eight-game winning streak, the injury-hit JackJumpers have lost two of their last three games.

Sunday’s loss to South-East Melbourne was the team’s first at home in NBL25, and they followed it up with an away defeat to Illawarra on Tuesday.

The JackJumpers then bounced back with a thrilling overtime victory over Adelaide 36ers at MyState Bank Arena on Friday night in what coach Scott Roth described as his team's best ever home win.

Sean Macdonald was this week ruled out for the season with a foot injury, joining big man Will Magnay on the sidelines.

Last time they met

The home team has won both of the match-ups between the Wildcats and JackJumpers this season.

Last time they met was at RAC Arena, with Perth prevailing 88-82 despite a 30-point game from Milton Doyle.

Kristian Doolittle (18 points and 11 rebounds) posted a double-double for the Wildcats.

Elijah Pepper and Tai Webster stepped up in Bryce Cotton’s absence with 14 points apiece, while Keanu Pinder chipped in with 13 and seven rebounds and Nominated Replacement Player Todd Withers added a dozen.