Breakers edge Kings in Championship Series opener

The Sydney Kings have gone down fighting in the opening game of the NBL23 Championship Grand Final Series to New Zealand 95-87 on Friday night. 

The Breakers, who led for all but 1.26 minutes in front of the 13,145 fans at Qudos Bank Arena, now hold home court in the series, which now shifts to New Zealand on Sunday. 

Match summary 

The Grand Final series scoring was opened by four-time NBL champ Tom Abercrombie, sparking a 6-2 run to open the game for the Breakers. Despite tough buckets by Dejan Vasiljevic, the Kings still trailed 11-9 midway through the term. Back-to-back baskets by Justin Simon gave the Kings their first lead of the match before Barry Brown Jr was injected into the contest for the visitors, helping them to keep their noses in front. Late threes by Cam Gliddon and Izayah Le’afa, as well as an alley-oop connection by Will McDowell-White and Dererk Pardon put New Zealand up 30-23 at the first change. 

STAY UP TO DATE WITH THE KINGS' NBL23 FINALS INFORMATION HERE

That leaded extended following plays by Rayan Rupert on both ends of the court, as the Breakers led by 11 with six to play in the half. Despite inspired play by Angus Glover and Derrick Walton Jr, the deficit remained in double-digits until Simon’s and-one following an athletic offensive rebound. A three as time expired, a triple by Kouat Noi made it 54-34 at half-time. The biggest difference between the two sides was the three-point (six to four) and free-throw shooting (14/16 to 7/14) – categories both dominated by the visitors. 

Justin Simon is hustlin hard for you, Sydney!

?Live on ESPN via Kayo Freebies | 10 Peach and 10 play#WeTheKings #NBLFinals pic.twitter.com/QIkRJXR3Oz

— Sydney Kings (@SydneyKings) March 3, 2023

The Breakers didn’t take their foot off the gas, with an Abercrombie triple making it a 12-point margin early in the third. But a 6-0 run, sparked by tough defence by Vasiljevic, closed the gap to just six – forcing Mody Maor into a time-out. A rejuvenated Breakers outfit returned to the court following the break in play, seeing them quickly regain their double-digit lead. The see-sawing affair continued, with Jaylin Galloway sparking a 9-0 run (marking the biggest run of the game), making it 67-65. That was as close as Chase Buford’s side got in that term, as the Breakers extended their lead to six (76-70) going into the last. 

Five quick points by Jordi Hunter gave the Kings an early jolt in the fourth but Brown Jr continued to keep the scoreline ticking over for the Breakers. Three more by Hunter and a sweet lay-up by Walton Jr made it 83-80 with just over six to play. The two sides then traded big baskets before a huge shot from downtown by Brown Jr put New Zealand up 91-84 with 2.40 on the clock – just minutes after Walton Jr has helped from the court. In the end, the visitors ran out winners by eight points. 

Where the match was decided 

As well as holding the league’s top offensive team to 44 per cent from the field, the Breakers also dominated the statistical categories of rebounds (45-39), steals (8-1) second-chance points (18-8), bench points (38-30) and fast break points (10-4). 

Key moment  

The Breakers set the tone for their impressive game one road win in the first quarter, carrying a seven-point lead into the second term – which allowed them to control the momentum of the match for the majority of the contest. 

Jordi Hunter goes back-to-back?

? Live on ESPN via Kayo Freebies | 10 Peach and 10 play#WeTheKings #NBLFinals pic.twitter.com/Q6oLcpfPZs

— Sydney Kings (@SydneyKings) March 3, 2023

Player of the game 

For the Kings, Simon was phenomenal in the first half, tallying 13 of his team-high 18 during that time. 

Then in the second, Hunter powered the Kings back into the match with 12 of his 15 points coming after the interval. 

Other to score in double figures for the hosts on Friday were Walton Jr (12) and Vasiljevic (11). 

What’s next 

The Kings will now travel to Auckland for game two of the Championship Grand Final Series. 

Buford’s side trail 0-1 heading into Sunday’s fixture at Spark Arena (tipping off at 4pm AEDT), in the five of five series. 

Game two will be broadcast live on ESPN via Kayo Freebies, 10 Peach and 10 Play.