Tasmania JackJumpers coach Scott Roth has credited his side's toughness and never-give-up attitude following their improbable rise to the NBL championship series in their debut season.
The JackJumpers completed the shock 2-1 series win over title-holders Melbourne United with a 76-73 victory at John Cain Arena on Monday, setting up a clash with the Sydney Kings in the best-of-five grand final matchup.
With few expectations to even reach the semi-final stage after opening the season with six losses in their first eight games, the JackJumpers recovered to close the regular season with a 17-11 record and sneak into fourth spot ahead of the Perth Wildcats.
Not content with just claiming an unlikely playoff berth, the JackJumpers stunned United to become the first brand new expansion team to win a finals series in league history.
"To defend the island again and impact a state like these guys have done, It's just a fantastic thing for our group and in the state," Roth said after the Tasmanian side's historic result.
"I don't know what to say other than we're just blessed to be in this position and humbled by it."
United appeared on track for a fourth grand final appearance in the last five seasons following their 74-63 victory in game one but the JackJumpers rose to the occasion in front of an emotional home crowd to record a 79-72 win and level the series.
With Melbourne captain Chris Goulding sidelined due to a calf injury, JackJumpers import Josh Adams proved the matchwinner with a 30-point haul, including 12 in the third quarter to set up a 60-54 lead.
"I was hoping all along in the last game or two that he was gonna break out at some point," Roth said after Adams orchestrated the upset win.
"He had some frustrations going on here and there and he just came out on fire in the second half and we continued to go to him and that's why he's here."
Melbourne coach Dean Vickerman expressed disappointment in his side's wayward shooting as the minor premiers fell short of competing for back-to-back titles.
"This whole series we couldn't shoot over 20 per cent from the three-point line and tonight we struggled to shoot over 50 per cent from the foul line and miss ten," Vickerman said.
"We got enough stops to win the basketball game even though they had some moments and some patches that were really good but yeah, we just couldn't throw it in the ocean."
The best-of-five grand final series begins on Friday, May 6 at Sydney's Qudos Bank Arena with Hobart's MyState Bank Arena playing host to game two on Sunday, May 8.
