Kings lose high-scoring affair to 36ers

The Sydney Kings lost a high-scoring affair to the Adelaide 36ers 115-108 at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre on Friday. 

That mark totals the highest point output by CJ Bruton’s side in two seasons, while the result means little to the Kings – who remain in first place heading into their final game of the regular season against Perth on Sunday. 

Match summary 

Despite playing without MVP nominee Xavier Cooks, the Kings hit their first five shots to jump out to a 13-7 lead. That advantage grew to seven (17-10) thanks to eight quick points by Dejan Vasiljevic. But a 9-2 run by the hosts, capped by back-to-back triples by Antonius Cleveland and Daniel Johnson, saw Adelaide draw level (21-all) with just over three to play. That run by the Sixers continued, ending the term on a 14-8 streak – to lead the high-scoring game 35-29. The catalyst for that for the host was their hot shooting from downtown (6/9 for 66 per cent). 

This sweet dime to Kouat Noi is Shaun Bruce's 350th of his NBL career - moving him into equal 11th all-time (alongside Aaron Trahair) for players who have worn a Sydney Kings jersey.

Catch it all on ESPN via Kayo Sports + Foxtel#WeTheKings pic.twitter.com/q2qlKnxzqH

— Sydney Kings (@SydneyKings) February 3, 2023

The high-powered game continued in the second, with the two sides combining for 25 points through the first three and a half minutes. Derrick Walton Jr then started to turn the screws for Sydney, to help his side close within three – before regaining the lead on a Justin Simon bucket. The lead then changed hands numerous times before the two rivals went into the main break locked up 59-all. 

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They call the third quarter the championship quarter and the reigning champs played like exactly that, rattling off eight straight points (sparked by big man Tom Soares), in less than 90 seconds, to start the period. Walton Jr continued to weave his magic with the ball in hands, moving his assist total into double-figures (which is just the third time he’s achieved the feat in NBL23). Although Adelaide fought back to be 78-all, two consecutive triples by Vasiljevic restored the Kings’ lead – which they held until three-quarter-time (86-81). 

Back-to-back for Vasiljevic ?

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— Sydney Kings (@SydneyKings) February 3, 2023

With sparkplug Walton Jr on the bench, the Sixers made a run (11-4) and regained the lead in the early parts of the fourth – thanks to the strong play by Cleveland. Buckets by Hoops Capital duo Angus Glover and Simon kept Sydney in striking distance before a clutch corner triple by Shaun Bruce put his side up 105-104 with 3.04 to play. A s the clock ticked down, a lay-up by former King Ian Clark gave Adelaide a 111-108 lead with one minute to play. Free-throws by Kyrin Galloway and a three by Robert Franks down the stretch sealed the 36ers’ 115-108 win. 

Where the match was decided 

Adelaide’s 13th victory of the season was set-up by an impressive win in the field goal category (56 per cent to 44), as well as handing out more dimes (30-26), recording more steals (10-5), putting up more points in the paint (50-46), bench points (39-30) and fast-break points (11-0) - which marks the first time all season Sydney has been held to zero in the last category. 

Key moment  

A huge 34-22 fourth-quarter by the Sixers, who were desperate to keep their slim finals chances alive, proved the difference on Friday night’s round 18 showdown. 

Player of the game 

Without fellow starting frontcourt mate Cooks, Brazilian centre Soares dominated on Friday, to the tune of 24 points (a NBL career high), seven rebounds and two steals. 

Others to score in double-figures for the Kings were Vasiljevic (18), Simon (15), Noi (13) and Galloway (11). 

Of note, despite not playing in the fourth, Walton Jr broke a Kings’ record by handing out 13 assists, the most of any Sydney player in the 40-minute era - previously held by Jerome Randle (11) from 2018.

The 13 also sees Walton Jr move into equal sixth on Sydney's all-time assists in a game record.

What’s next 

Next up for Buford’s side, who is now 19-8 on the season, is a trip to Perth to battle the Wildcats from 4pm AEDT Sunday at RAC Arena, in the final game of the regular season. 

Following that, the reigning champions' semi-final series is slated to run from February 15-20 (TBC) - with the harbour city side locked in to host series two in the Hungry Jack's NBL Finals Series, taking on the winner of the sudden death play-in game. 

To ensure you don't miss any of the action at Qudos Bank Arena, from 9am, Sunday, February 5, full-season members will first be offered the chance to purchase their same seats (with this pre-sale ending at 7am Tuesday, February 7). 

Then from 11am on February 7, all Kings members including partial season members will be able to purchase all other remaining tickets. 

From 4pm Tuesday, February 7, the general public will be able to access the remaining tickets for the Kings' finals charge. 

All information, including tickets, for our Hungry Jacks Finals Series tilt, can be found here.