Jacks have to flex muscles in defence

THE JackJumpers must not get lured into a run-and-gun shootout against the Sydney Kings, assistant coach Jacob Chance has warned.

Including the playoffs the Kings average seven more points per game than the JJs, 86.2 to 79.

Chance said his team must focus on its defence in transition to stop the Kings getting easy scores early in the shot clock.

“The game’s played in transition for them. If we can stop them in the first eight seconds of the shot clock we put ourselves in a really good spot,” Chance said.

“Certainly if you get up and down with these guys they’re way too talented.”

The Kings boast five players averaging double-figure points, with their explosive offence led by league MVP Jaylen Adams’ 20.1 points per game and 6.14 assists.

Despite this firepower, Chance said his side was ready for the challenge.

“We’re not scared of anyone, in any way,” he said.

“We know Sydney are a talented team but if we can get the game and the series on our terms, we certainly believe we can get the result.”

The Jacks have their own lethal weapon in Josh Adams, who fired 30 points in the semis game three win over United. Chance needs to look no further than swingman and lock-down defender Sam McDaniel to find motivation at the defensive end.

The 26-year-old said his role in the finals was clear: “Leading by example and upping the intensity on defence.”

“(Defence) has been a staple for us all season,” he said.

“The way we play defence and guard with all five guys. If we stick to that like we did in the Melbourne series we’ll be in with a shot.”

McDaniel has finals pedigree after winning with Melbourne last season. He said he’s told his teammates to expect the playoffs intensity to go even further up in the finals.

“The only thing I’ve really been preaching is raising the intensity and the physicality,” he said.

“I think you saw that when we played Melbourne. Every game was incredibly physical.

“That’s something that I’ve told the boys, be ready for that out on the practice court, preparing for that, training for that.”

Sydney won the regular season series against Tasmania 2-1, with the last game a 20-point blowout on April 3.

“Last game we got smacked in the mouth early, didn’t follow the scout and they’re a very talented, athletic team and they like to run,” McDaniel said.

“Sydney wants to get out and have a free-flowing game. We’ve put some things in that’ll hopefully slow them down and keep it to a halfcourt game.”