Perth Wildcats vs Tasmania JackJumpers: Monday Preview

Game Details
Perth Wildcats vs Tasmania JackJumpers
4.30pm WST 28 February @ MyState Bank Arena
Watch LIVE on ESPN – available via Kayo or Foxtel

Context
The Perth Wildcats are looking to end a three-game slump and solidify their position in the top half of the NBL standings. This will be their first game taking on the NBL’s newest franchise on their home court, however Perth spent six weeks in Tasmania, using the JackJumpers stadium as a practice facility after leaving Perth in December. Tasmania have won three of their last five and have surprised many experts, currently sitting mid-table at the halfway point of the season. 

What the coach and players had to say
Scott Morrison on preparing for Tasmania
“Every game is a battle; our issue is we don’t recognise the battle is for 40 minutes. And I feel bad using that term based on what’s going on around the world. We have some positives to build on, our rebounding has improved. We just need to get everything clicking at the right time, and get enough aspects of our game fine-tuned so we can put together a 40-minuet effort.”

Matt Hodgson on the JackJumpers without Magnay
“They’re still an unbelievable defensive team, and obviously offensive. We saw what they did against Illawarra as well. I think I’ve got potential to have an impact there, but time will tell, I guess we’ll see come Monday.”

Roster Availability 
Perth Wildcats guard Mitch Norton suffered a blow to the head in the fourth quarter of last night’s game and will not be available for tomorrow’s clash with the Tasmania JackJumpers per the club’s head knock protocols.
Vic Law will be a game day decision after rolling his ankle in the second half of the South East Melbourne game.
Mitch Clarke and Ollie Hayes-Brown have travelled with the team to Hobart.

Opponents to watch out for
Josh Adams has been shooting the lights out, with the import guard averaging a team-high 16.3 points per game. Fellow import guard, Josh Magette, has the ability to fill the stat sheet and averages 14.4 points and 5.9 assists. The Wildcats will be up against former teammates Clint Steindl and Jarred Bairstow, but Will Magnay is unavailable through injury.

Last time they met
The first ever game between these two sides was in December at RAC Arena, with the Wildcats comfortably defeating Tasmania 101-83. Vic Law and Bryce Cotton combined for 55 points.

Fun Facts and Stats
Vic Law and Bryce Cotton own five of the top-ten individual scoring performances so far this season.

History
This is just the second meeting between these two teams, with the Wildcats winning in their first.