Bruce expects more spice in game three showdown

Friday's Playoff Semi-Final between the Sydney Kings and Cairns Taipans was a fiery one and Hoops Capital guard Shaun Bruce expects game three on Sunday to follow suit.

“There’s spice in every game,” Bruce said.

“That’s just part of playing and that’s the fun of it.

“We’ve got two good teams that are playing their [butts] off.

"It’s the time of year we want to be playing and there’s going to be emotions.

“People care, coaches care a lot. It’s what it’s all about.

“We would have loved to get it done tonight but we earned the right to host two games this series, and we’re looking forward to getting there (Qudos Bank Arena) on Sunday.”

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Some of the spice Bruce alludes to includes the accidental head clash resulting in a nosebleed for Kings forward Kouat Noi – after which Chase Buford was ejected from the game for arguing with officials.

Then centre Tim Soares made contact with Sam Waardenburg in the face off the ball – however expert commentators Liam Santamaria and Andrew Gaze perceived the contact to Waardenburg’s jaw to be accidental.

This came after newly crowned MVP Xavier Cooks was forced from the court with an ankle injury in the third term - with the forward now in a race against time to be ready for the Qudos Bank Arena fixture from 1.45pm AEDT on Sunday.

Tickets to the sudden-death final are available here.