Bruce admits Kings working to peak at 'right time of year'

Sydney has struggled to close out tight games in recent weeks. Whether it be the 26 points the Kings gave up to the JackJumpers in the final quarter in Round 10 or "snatching defeat from the jaws of victory" in Sunday's double-overtime epic against the Phoenix, it looks like cracks are beginning to show in the reigning champions' armour.

In fact, the Kings have been on the wrong side of a deficit in each of their past three losses - however, guard Shaun Bruce believes the side is primed to make a similar run to the playoffs as NBL22.

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Speaking ahead of the first-ever Christmas night clash in NBL history, Bruce says his side is wary of peaking too soon this season.

“We’re still a work in progress to be honest,” Bruce said.

“Earlier this year we were winning a lot of games and we were still learning – and that’s no different now.

“It’s just about finding out what our roles look like, especially down the end of games. The fourth quarters have been something we’re still figuring out.

“We want to peak at the right time of the year and that’s not right now. We’re still getting better and we’re still in the process of doing that.

“I’ve got no doubt once we figure that out it’ll go the way it did last year and we’ll find a lot of form.”

While games between Sydney and Melbourne always attract plenty of eyes the dimension of playing the game on Christmas ight adds a new factor in what promises to be a stellar clash.

“Christmas aside it’s a game against Melbourne United we’re excited for. They’re doing a lot better in the last few weeks … they’re going to be tough, but we’re going to be tough so it should be a good hitout,” Bruce said.

“They’re obviously sacrificing a lot to be here on Christmas Day … [but] we’re probably not going to sit down and have Christmas dinner together.

“We saw them earlier on in the year when they were having some struggles but it’s just another chapter to the book playing on Christmas Day against them.”

As it stands Xavier Cooks remains touch and go to play a part in the historic game. The star forward managed just seven minutes of game time in the weekend's loss to South East Melbourne as he struggles with a persistent ankle injury.

The battle between Cooks and United’s contingent of bigs looks set to be one of the most interesting clashes of the evening should he be passed fit to play.

Bruce believes his teammate will be ready and raring to go come game time.

“I think he’s feeling pretty good,” Bruce said of Cooks.

“At this time of year, everyone’s dealing with little niggles and stuff. It just happened that he couldn’t get through Sunday’s game.

“He’s an MVP candidate but we’ve got a deep team, we’ve got trust in everybody that if he can’t go someone else will step up … [but] he’s a competitor and I’m sure he’s going to be ready to go.”

Tickets for the historic Qudos Bank Arena are available here.