Bullets defeat JackJumpers in Cadee's 350th

The Brisbane Bullets had a lot to play for in Hobart, celebrating Jason Cadee’s 350^th NBL game, looking to pick up their third win in a row and first against the Tasmania JackJumpers.

It became an intense battle down the stretch with both teams desperate to go into the FIBA break with a win. But it was the Bullets who came out on top, defeating JackJumpers 74-72 on Saturday.

Despite the Bullets leading most of the game, it always had a feeling it would come down to the wire and that's exactly what happened.

In the last 15 seconds, with the Bullets clinging to a one point lead, Aron Baynes made one free-throw and the JackJumpers had a chance to tie it. Jack McVeigh had a good look but it rimmed out and the Bullets held on for the two-point win on the road.

The Bullets snapped their five-game losing slide to open NBL23 with two convincing wins over the Illawarra Hawks and they headed to MyState Bank Arena nine days after having last played to take on the JackJumpers.

Tasmania came in having won five of its past six games including a strong win in Perth on Thursday, but the Bullets came out impressively to open up an 18-point lead late in the second quarter.

Brisbane led from late in the opening quarter and held on in a frantic finish on the back of shooting 45 per cent from the field, along with winning the rebound count by eight.

Baynes finished with 16 points and nine rebounds for the Bullets with Nathan Sobey adding 14 points and seven assists. Tyler Johnson had 13 points, Tyrell Harrison 12 points and eight rebounds, and Jason Cadee five points and two assists in NBL game 350.

Coming off the momentum of Thursday night's win in Perth, Jack McVeigh gave Tasmania the game's first three points. Brisbane then worked into the game with a 6-0 run.

The Bullets closed the first quarter with another run of six straight points including two strong finishes from Tyrell Harrison to head into the quarter-time break leading 19-14 with the JackJumpers unable to connect from beyond the arc.

Aron Baynes then gave the Bullets the first six points of the second quarter when he hit a three and turned it into a four-point play. Nathan Sobey drained a triple as well as DJ Mitchell with the lead growing to 16 before finally the JackJumpers made their first three of the game after 13 misses.

It came from Isaac White and soon after McVeigh hit another, but Brisbane remained in control and another 6-0 run that included a dunk from Harrison after a full-court outlet pass from Harry Froling saw them up 46-30 at the half.

The Bullets shot 50 per cent from the field opposed to 29 to half-time while pulling down 24 rebounds to 17.

The JackJumpers might have gone 2/18 from deep in the first half, but that soon changed to start the second with Sean Macdonald hitting two in quick succession. McVeigh then added another and suddenly it was a seven-point ball game.

The home side made another run in the quarter but Brisbane did well to stay aggressive and get to the foul line to maintain an 11-point lead by three quarter-time.

The JackJumpers kept coming, though, and a couple of buckets had them within eight. Baynes steadied Brisbane with his team's next seven points, but Tasmania then hit the next nine including Magette intercepting a backcourt pass to cut the lead to 1 with 30 seconds remaining..

Baynes got himself to the  free-throw line and Brisbane held on for a two point win in Hobart.

The game is the last for both teams before heading into the FIBA break with the Bullets next in action against the Cairns Taipans at home on Saturday 19 November.

HUNGRY JACK'S NBL ROUND 6

TASMANIA JACKJUMPERS 72 (McVeigh 17, Doyle 12, Magette 11, Macdonald 11)

BRISBANE BULLETS 74 (Baynes 16, Sobey 14, Johnson 13) 

BOX SCORE