NBL Round 3: TJ Starks sparks JackJumpers’ comeback win over Bullets

But the name on everybody’s lips will be TJ Starks after his impressive outing.

Bannan raced to a double-double by halftime on his way to a game-high 23 points and 15 rebounds, as the JackJumpers overturned an eight point deficit at the final change to hang on for victory in dramatic circumstances.

Down by one point and with the Bullets on the attack, star centre Tyrell Harrison fouled out after a charge on Will Magnay with just 7.3 seconds left on the clock, robbing the home side of a crucial defensive presence in the final possessions.

The Bullets had no right being so close to the JackJumpers given the pre-match losses of Javon Freeman-Liberty and Casey Prather, but Jaylen Adams (19pts 7ast), Taine Murray (17pts) and Alex Ducas (12pts, four-from-nine from three) led Brisbane’s unlikely charge.

But the JackJumpers got the job done.

Bannan, Starks (18pts) and Magnay (13pts 8reb) combined to lead the JackJumpers out of trouble and into the win column for the third time this season.

STARKS SPARKS COMEBACK

TJ Starks was the man on everybody’s lips after fuelling the JackJumpers’ fourth-quarter fightback.

Signed as an injury replacement player, Starks lit up the court in his first appearance in the NBL, and he put his foot down in the fourth to show why he should have a longer stint in this league.

He scored more than half of Tassie’s points through the final term as they visitors turned an eight-point deficit into a lead heading into the final minutes.

But he might’ve taken on too much of a load, after some poor shot choices handed possession back to the Bullets – who made them pay – he proved he belonged despite stepping off a plane two days ago.

BULLETS LOSE BIG GUNS

The first shot hadn’t rung out of Bullets HQ and the Brisbane team was already behind the eight-ball, with stars Javon Freeman-Liberty and Casey Prather ruled out.

Freeman-Liberty failed a fitness test with Prather sidelined as he recovered from a head knock.

It opened the door for two-time All-NBL First Team forward Lamar Patterson to make his first appearance in the league since NBL22, and 34-year-old proved he hadn’t missed much of a step.

His returns look meagre on the scoresheet – two points, two rebounds, two assists – but his three steals showed his importance on the defensive end.

KINGS CROWN BRUCE MILESTONE WITH BREAKERS DEMOLITION

By Sean Teuma

Sydney took inspiration from a nearby music festival to deliver a major blow to New Zealand to get their own season off and running.

As the beats of Knockout from the nearby Showground blared, superstar import Kendric Davis provided the hits at Qudos Bank Arena with an inspired showing to nab his first win in new colours.

The American dropped 28 points (11/17 FG) to wipe away the disappointment of their opening loss, as the Kings showed glimpses of the potential that has them among the competition favourites.

While both teams had their struggles throughout the opening half, Sydney was able to find its groove with a devastating third term, finding their range from three and shooting the Breakers out of the game, eventually going on to prevail 97-75.

It helps to set up a blockbuster Wednesday night clash at the Kingdome with the undefeated Melbourne United, who pushed the New Orleans Pelicans to their limits.

LIGHTING A FIRE

The Kings had nothing to show from their first four possessions as it looked like their stagnant attack from the home opener had never left.

It was Davis who brought them to life with a burst that brought up-tempo basketball back to Sydney.

He was a perfect 4/4 for the quarter to lead the way with 10 points, with Jaylin Galloway finding his shot to lift the Kings to a 22-15 advantage with the Breakers wayward from long range (2/10 3P).

SOARING HIGH

The signing of Tim Soares raised some eyebrows as the Kings look to get back into the championship picture.

But the big Brazilian held things down in the paint for Sydney, with Soares (16 points, eight rebounds) giving them scoring, rebounding and much-needed hustle.

That was all on display in an impressive third quarter stint, capped off with a huge dunk as the Kings raced out to an 18-point lead heading into the fourth.

MILESTONE MAN

Shaun Bruce notched a wonderful milestone with his 350th NBL game.

After bouncing between Cairns, Adelaide and Brisbane to start his career, Bruce has found a home in Sydney since the 2019-20 season, winning two championships and becoming an important role player in the side.

Bruce chipped in with six points and four rebounds.

WHERE TO FROM HERE?

The New Zealand Breakers are in a big hole.

They’re now 0-4 to start the season, including two defeats on their home floor and a 32-point hiding at the hands of Melbourne.

Their latest disappointment will raise big questions over the ditch around their roster and if an urgent change is needed.

BIG GUNS INSPIRE 36ERS’ TAIPANS THRASHING

— Mitch Turner

Cairns Taipans recruit Admiral Schofield admitted earlier in the week that while he was aware of Bryce Cotton, he wasn’t super familiar with the NBL legend’s body of work.

Well if he wasn’t 24 hours ago, ‘Scho’ certainly will be now, as a vintage Cotton performance lifted the Adelaide 36ers to a comprehensive victory in Cairns.

The visitors led wire-to-wire, eventually coming away with a 110-79 victory.

Cotton was as devastating as ever, though his dominance was aided by scoring contributions from Flynn Cameron and Isaac Humphries.

Those efforts allowed Cotton to pick his spots.

He had several stretches where he deferred to his teammates, only to explode for several quick baskets to keep the Taipans at bay.

Cotton finished with 28 points on the night, having spent the majority of the fourth quarter resting on the bench.

It’s the sort of performance that Cairns fans have come to expect whenever Cotton is in town, as he dropped 44 on his last visit when he was a Wildcat.

It’s far from panic stations for Adam Forde’s side with their record sitting at 2-2.

However, this was their second blowout loss of the season, with questions surely starting to be asked about if and when the Snakes will be able to match it with the best in the NBL.

FOUL TROUBLE HURTS SNAKES

In a rough first half for the Taipans, they committed 11 personal fouls, with Marcus Lee in particular drawing plenty of unwanted attention from the officials.

Untimely indiscretions in both the first and second quarter forced Adam Forde to take the NBL Champion out of the game on both occasions.

Tensions rose in both terms, with point guard Andrew Andrews picking up a technical in the first, while a chorus of boos from the Cairns crowd rang out after Kyrin Galloway’s second foul.

Lee did manage to clean up his defensive work in the second half, after he fouled out in the Taipans’ one-point win over Brisbane last Friday.

It’s sure to be an area theTaipans want to address, especially as Lee proved dangerous on offense, particularly in the pick and roll with Andrew Andrews.

MCVEIGH’S QUIET NIGHT

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Jack McVeigh has lived up to the hype for the most part since signing in FNQ, but this game was a rare misstep.

The Snakes superstar was mostly held in check throughout, with Forde also reducing his workload in what was their third game in six days.

The coach had flagged earlier in the week that load management would be a factor in their preparations, and it looks like McVeigh at least will welcome the eight-day break.