Melbourne United vs. Tasmania JackJumpers Prediction, Tips & Odds – Apr. 28, 2022
In an extraordinary turn of events, the reigning champions Melbourne United will face the Tasmania JackJumpers in one of the NBL playoff semi-finals. As the newcomers in the league, no one expected to see the Tasmanian team progress to the postseason. Against the best team in the league, they will have their work cut out for them. However, after everything we have seen from them so far this season one just can´t write them off.
Melbourne United
After some early inconsistencies, United made adjustments, started playing better, and never looked back. In the end, they had a very strong regular season with a 20-8 win-loss record but they didn´t finish it in a dominant fashion losing the final game to their opponents in this semi-final, the JackJumpers.
That game wasn´t important to them as they already secured the top spot and were preparing for the finals. Led by their 3-time NBL champion head coach Dean Vickerman they have grown a winning culture in the club in the last couple of years. Refusing to let their leaders go away, they only make minor tweaks to their roster prior to every season. In case they lose a big star like Jock Landale this preseason, they waste no time to react and immediately try to find an adequate replacement. This year they found it in the former NBA veteran Matthew Dellavedova who returned back home in order to win his first-ever NBL title after becoming the NBA champion in 2016.
THIS THURSDAY.
🎟: https://t.co/CUEO4TZZDu pic.twitter.com/sdbA4i0rH4— Melbourne United (@MelbUnited) April 25, 2022
Tasmania JackJumpers
One could write a novel about how the JackJumpers reached the postseason. Against all odds, they won their last four games but they didn´t depend only on themselves as they needed the vice-champions Perth to suffer a major disaster.
That´s exactly what happened as one of the most famous NBL teams suffered a season-ending collapse in their final two games losing to Illawarra and the Melbourne Phoenix. Their OT thriller loss in the final round to the Phoenix also marked the end of one of the longest streaks in the history of modern sports. Since 1987 the Wildcats never failed to enter the postseason, which means we won´t be watching them in the playoffs after 35 consecutive years.
— The NBL (@NBL) April 24, 2022
Melbourne United vs Tasmania JackJumpers Prediction
The JackJumpers have no experience whatsoever playing these sorts of playoff games. What makes their life even more difficult is the fact they are facing the toughest opponent possible in the finals. Melbourne will be eager to make up for the loss from the final round of the regular season so we expect them to come out firing in front of their crowd and take control of the game from the start.
Pick: Double Result – Melbourne Utd – Melbourne Utd
Odds: 1.75
Bookmaker: Bet365
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