Tasmania JackJumpers vs Brisbane Bullets NBL Round 20 Tips and Predictions

The Tasmania JackJumpers are in prime position to tighten their grip on a finals spot when they host the Brisbane Bullets on Friday night at MyState Bank Arena, but history suggests this matchup may be far more uncomfortable than the ladder positions imply. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30pm AEDT, with Tasmania heavy favourites yet again facing a Brisbane side that consistently finds a way to hang around in this fixture.

While the JackJumpers are riding momentum after a gutsy win over New Zealand, their injury-ravaged roster continues to make every game a grind. Against a low-scoring Bullets team that matches up well stylistically, this shapes as another scrap rather than a walkover.

Competition: NBL26 Round 20

Match: Tasmania JackJumpers vs Brisbane Bullets

Date: Friday

Tip-off: 7:30 PM AEDT

Venue: MyState Bank Arena

Tasmania should win this game, but expecting them to pull away comfortably may be optimistic. The JackJumpers’ recent victory over New Zealand required a career night from David Johnson, and it’s unrealistic to expect a repeat of that shooting performance.

Brisbane have quietly covered this number repeatedly against Tasmania, including an outright 83–81 win in Hobart earlier this season. With the JackJumpers missing multiple key contributors, Brisbane’s ability to slow games down and keep margins tight makes the points attractive.

This matchup screams under. Both teams struggle to generate offence, and Tasmania remain the best defensive team in the competition, allowing just 86.4 points per game.

Five of the last six meetings between these sides have gone under the total, and Brisbane’s inability to score efficiently only reinforces the low-tempo script. If this turns into the grind it usually does, the total has very little room to breathe.

Tasmania’s defensive system continues to hold firm despite mounting injuries. Brisbane rank last in the NBL for scoring and three-point efficiency, and if they struggle to create transition looks, half-court offence will be hard to come by.

The longer this game stays ugly, the more it suits the Bullets covering the number.