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Tasmania JackJumpers have won their first NBL title, defeating Melbourne United in the decisive Game five in Melbourne.
Jordon Crawford was the star, scoring 32 points as the JackJumpers came from behind to win 83-81 at John Cain Arena.
The JackJumpers made it to the championship series in their first season in 2022, losing to the Sydney Kings 3-0.
In a tumultuous series, Melbourne United won the opening game 104-81, a margin of 23 points — the four subsequent games had a total margin of just 11.
The JackJumpers rebounded to take a 2-1 lead after Jack McVeigh sank an incredible last-second three-pointer from long range in game three.
United kept their hopes alive with an 88-86 win in Hobart in game four, leaving the series to hang on a decider on their home court.
Crawford scored 27 first-half points and overcame a quiet third period to finish with a series-high 32. It was the equal-third highest tally by any player in a title-series game during the 40-minute game era, which dates back to 2009.
The result completed a fairytale ride under head coach Scott Roth for the league’s newest franchise, who lost a title decider two years ago in their debut season.
Crawford was the hero for Tasmania but had plenty of support from Jack McVeigh (14 points, eight rebounds), Will Magnay (11, 12) and Milton Doyle (11,10).
Each of Melbourne’s five starters reached double figures, led by Jo Lual-Acuil Jr (14 points), Matthew Dellavedova, Chris Goulding and Luke Travers (13 each).
Dellavedova, who won an NBA championship with Cleveland in 2016, had a last-gasp chance to pinch the decider for Melbourne, but his long-range attempt at a buzzer-beater hit the backboard and rimmed out.
Lual-Acuil set the tone for an explosive first quarter with a huge dunk under pressure from Magnay and Doyle to open the scoring.
Travers had 11 points to his name as Melbourne built a double-figure lead inside five minutes and held a 31-26 advantage at quarter-time after Goulding’s buzzer-beating three-pointer.
But Crawford’s scintillating 19-point first period on perfect shooting, including four triples, kept Tasmania firmly in the contest.
He remained perfect from long range with his fifth three-pointer, which put Tasmania ahead for the first time, two minutes before half-time.
Goulding hurt his right knee in a collision with Majok Deng and racked up three fouls before halftime, as one of a host of players from both teams in foul trouble.
Scores were locked at 44-44 at the main break as Crawford’s personal tally swelled to 27 points.
The first half’s dominant figure went cold in the third quarter, throwing up four shots — all of them unsuccessful — as a tense battle continued at both ends of the floor.
Melbourne burst out of the blocks in the fourth quarter with a 7-2 run that drove a nine-point wedge between the teams.
But Crawford responded with the next five points and Tasmania were level again in the blink of an eye.
The JackJumpers got five points up, but Goulding’s ridiculous off-balance three with four seconds left ensured the game went down to the buzzer.
Melbourne pinched an in-bounds pass and Dellavedova heaved a potential game-winner that missed, sparking wild scenes among the travelling Tasmania fans.
ABC/AAP
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