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AAP
AAP
Jasper Bruce

Coach keeps faith despite another loss for JackJumpers

Kouat Noi was a standout for the Sydney Kings in their crushing NBL win over the JackJumpers. (Mark Evans/AAP PHOTOS)

Scott Roth believes the Tasmania JackJumpers have the right players to salvage their ailing NBL season after the Sydney Kings handed the reigning champions their fifth loss in six games.

The JackJumpers (3-7) scored their fewest points in franchise history during Sunday's 88-60 thrashing at Qudos Bank Arena and are now only off the bottom of the ladder on for-and-against.

But as the season approaches its halfway point later this month, Roth insisted his belief in the playing group was unwavering and that no changes would be considered.

"If we can't (turn the season around) then I should just go home now, I guess," he said.

JackJumpers coach Scott Roth (centre) urges his players to lift.
JackJumpers coach Scott Roth (centre) urges his players to lift in the game against the Kings. (Mark Evans/AAP PHOTOS)

"It's sports, isn't it? Of course we believe it's going to turn around, and if it doesn't turn around it won't be because of a lack of work.

"I plan on keeping this group in front of me until something would happen.

"We might not win any games for the rest of the way out. I don't know what's going to transpire other than the fact that the group that we have has been wonderful."

The visitors did well to restrict the Kings' star contingent despite the absence of their own key big man Will Magnay (shoulder), who failed a fitness test but could return to face Perth on Thursday.

Former league MVP Xavier Cooks (10 points, seven rebounds) managed only two points before the final change, while Jaylen Adams failed to land a field goal playing his second game since a back injury.

But Tasmania once again struggled to find points of their own, restricted to below 80 for a seventh time this season despite putting up more shots than the Kings.

The JackJumpers shot at only 31 per cent from the field.

"We've had open shots early on and they just don't go in and that kind of snowballs into we just can't make anything of anything that can really open the floor up," Roth said.

"We'll just keep pushing through."

Diminutive guard Jordon Crawford (12 points) was the JackJumpers' only consistent scoring threat, with the remaining four starters combining for only 25 points.

Jordon Crawford of the Jackjumpers.
The JackJumpers' Jordon Crawford (left) takes a shot over Cameron Oliver of the Kings. (Mark Evans/AAP PHOTOS)

The Kings' win snaps a three-game losing streak that had knocked the championship fancies off course early in Brian Goorjian's first season back in Sydney.

Kouat Noi managed a game-high 26 points that included five consecutive three-pointers.

The forward rejoiced in entertaining the crowd, running to the courtside seats to high-five a punter following one of his successful triples.

"'Goorj' always says this is the entertainment business," Noi said.

"So you've got to go out there and if you're not putting seats for the fans to come and watch you, you're doing it wrong."

Noi capped a fantastic afternoon with a one-handed dunk as the final minute approached.

Tasmania managed to cut the lead back to single digits in the third term, but when Cameron Oliver nailed a tip-in just after the final change, the lead was 21 points and the JackJumpers appeared out of the contest.

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