Perth Wildcats need to find form quickly against Tasmania JackJumpers as mid-season NBL form slump hurts

Perth Wildcats import David Duke jnr has made it clear that opposition teams now feel like they can fight back from large deficits as the squad attempts to find answers to their inconsistency. The Wildcats will enter Sunday’s game against Tasmania JackJumpers at MyState Bank Arena under pressure after losing three of their last four matches. Perth are fifth on the ladder and Sunday’s game will be the start a run of five consecutive matches away from home as they attempt to remain in touch with the top teams. Perth have struggled to halt momentum swings this season, especially when they hold a large lead midway through games. Thursday night’s one-point loss to South East Melbourne Phoenix came after they gave up a 16-point lead. That result followed a one-point defeat from Adelaide 36ers despite Perth opening up a 21-point lead. Duke said the same problems were cropping up when the team lost control. “It’s hard to win games when you give up a lot of offensive rebounds and give them extra possessions,” he said. “It’s just the timing of the game as well. When we are up, we have to not have a relaxed mindset and not trying to slow it down. When a team is right there and breaking, we need to put our foot down, break these teams and impose our will. “These last few home games, we have come out great. We have all the energy, and we’re juiced up coming out of the gate. “But teams are good. I’m sure teams are watching previous games and what got those teams back in. It was threes and offensive rebounds. It’s more in our hands than anything. I think we are right there, so we’ve just got to continue to chip away.” Teams have also taken note of how Sydney shut down Kristian Doolittle and applied more defensive pressure on the Wildcats import. Doolittle scored only five points against the Kings, then was held to just eight points against Brisbane before managing four points against the Phoenix. The American has had opportunities to step up at key moments when games are on the line and has been visibly frustrated during an uncharacteristic form slump. He missed the shot that could have won the Wildcats the game on the buzzer against Adelaide, having conceded a tech foul in the dying stages, and he also missed an open three-point attempt late in the loss to South East Melbourne. All eyes will be on Tasmania to see how they try to lock down on Doolittle and if he can find answers to get back to the form that made him one of the most dangerous players in the NBL in recent seasons.