Kings lose NBL Blitz opener to JackJumpers

The Sydney Kings lost their NBL Blitz opener to the Tasmania JackJumpers 73-53 at the Darwin Basketball Facility on Saturday.

Match summary

Scoring proved hard to come by in the first term for both teams and despite only hitting 4/13 from the field, the Kings led 13-12 at quarter-time. While the shooting improved in the second by Sydney, the turnovers did not with five by the Hoops Capital side keeping the JackJumpers in the contest (35-34) at half-time. Although new import Derrick Walton Jr showed positive signs with the ball in his hands, scrappiness crept back into the game from both teams in the third, allowing the JackJumpers hit the front going into the final period (48-46). The scoring woes of Fleur McIntyre’s outfit continued through the final term, being outscored 16-1 in the opening five minutes of the quarter. The defensive pressure by Scott Roth’s side, combined with better than 50 per cent from the field in the last quarter, saw the Ants run out winners 73-53 on Saturday.

Where the match was decided

A fourth-quarter explosion, where the Ants outscored Sydney 25-7, set up the 20-point win in Saturday’s NBL Blitz fixture. Sparking that was defensive pressure by Tasmania (including recording 13-4 steals), allowing the Kings to only score seven points and hit only two field goals during the 10-minute period. That combined with a 9-17 shooting by Roth’s troops secured the Ants the impressive victory in the NBL22 grand final replay.

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On a positive note, Sydney outrebounded Tasmania (49-42), was more efficient from the charity stripe (70 per cent to 50) and scored more on the fastbreak (7-2).

Key moment

At the end of the second quarter, just when it appeared the Ants were gaining momentum, Kings star and defensive dynamo Xavier Cooks rejected a shot at the rim of Matt Kenyon - which sparked a fast-break for his side, leading to Darrick Walton finding the athletics Jaylin Galloway for he and-one alley-oop lay-up. 

This play optimised the style of play Chase Buford wants to play once again in NBL23, which should have all Kings fans excited for some fast-paced hoops in the club’s title defence.

Player of the game

Derrick Walton Jr proved why he is going to excel in his debut season in Australia, being the only King to register double-figure scoring (12), combined with four rebounds, four assists and two triples - not to mention showcasing his impressive handles and vision on numerous occasions.

What’s next

The Sydney Kings will look to rebound and record their first win at the NBL Blitz when they take on the New Zealand Breakers from 5.30pm AEDT on Wednesday at the Darwin Basketball Facility - which can be viewed via Kayo Freebies.