JackJumpers reign supreme in NBL Classic
The Tasmania JackJumpers have been crowned NBL Champions for NBL24 after an all time great final series contest against Melbourne United. The series was closely contested throughout, with the series needing a defining Game 5 to settle the score, and even then it came down to the final shot and second of the game.
It all started with Game 1, where Melbourne United dealt an early blowout win, with many expecting the series to go Melbourne’s way very quickly. That was the only game that was won by more than 5 points.
Game 2 went to the home team Tassie, with their defense stepping up, keeping United Star Matthew Dellavedova under 10 points after a hot Game 1. Tassie ended up winning 82-77.
Game 3 set the tone for the rest of the series, with the game being settled by 2 points, with Tassie star Jack Mcveigh hitting one of the greatest shots in NBL history. With time expiring and Tassie down by 1, the ball got to Mcveigh and he heaved a shot from half court that miraculously went in.
With the momentum and home court advantage, many thought that the JackJumpers would finish the series in Game 4, but United brought their experience, and the star power that had them lead the NBL ladder all season, and were able to force a game 5, with a gutsy 2-point win 88-86.
That led to one of the most highly anticipated games in NBL History and wow did it not disappoint. The game was tight throughout, with a first half some have described as one of the great halves of basketball ever, with the teams heading to the locker rooms tied at 44. Jordan Crawford dominated the first half and had over 20 points going into the change. Every member of United’s starting 5 got double digits, and they had a small lead going into the last few minutes of the game. That’s where the talent of the Tassie imports really took over, with Milton Doyle and Jordan Crawford hitting crucial shots. A turnover with 4 seconds to go gave Delly a chance to break Tassie hearts, with a half court contested shot just missing to the left, allowing Tassie to celebrate their first NBL Championship, in just their third season.
JackJumpers fan’s, don’t miss out on collecting your piece of history by checking out the championship range here.