"Full steam ahead" for JackJumpers

The Tasmania JackJumpers had a Game 4 victory and the NBL24 title all but in their hands at multiple points in Thursday’s defeat to Melbourne, but Scott Roth believes there’s no pressure on his side heading into Game 5.

Tasmania entered the clash knowing a win would seal the club’s first ever NBL title, however a desperate Melbourne United side pushed past the roaring home crowd and JackJumpers resistance to register a heart-stopping two-point win to force a decisive Game 5.

This will be the second time the two clubs have met in a do-or-die Finals clash, but the first time they will do so in a Championship Series.

“I thought it was a hell of a game, just back and forth, exciting, slugfest. I thought it was an exciting game to be a part of,” Roth said post-game.

“No one expected us to be sitting here to begin with. Three years ago no one thought we’d be sitting here, two years ago no one thought we’d be sitting here, and now we’re here again.

“We’re in Game 5, and we earned the right to get to Game 5 because we won on their floor. We’re full steam ahead.”

Roth pulled something of a surprise in his starting lineup ahead of the game, and elected to give Fabijan Krslovic his first start of the season in lieu of the injured Marcus Lee, ahead of star center Will Magnay and in-form big Majok Deng.

Krslovic has been part of the JackJumpers since their first season in the NBL, but he played just six minutes and went 0-3 from the field – all from beyond the three-point line – in the game.

Roth says it was always his plan to start the big man.

“He started in the Grand Finals in the first year,” Roth said simply. “He was always my choice.”

The fifth and final game of the NBL24 Championship Series will tip off at 4pm AEDT on Sunday evening, live on ESPN via Kayo.