Kings move one step closer after thrilling win

Sydney Kings moved one step closer to an NBL Championship Series following a heart stopping 105-104 victory over the Perth Wildcats on Wednesday night.

In front of a superb crowd of 10,1321 at Qudos Bank Arena, the game went down to the final seconds with Sydney scrambling hard for rebounds following two missed attempts from Perth to secure a game one victory in the best of three playoff series.

Remarkably, the lead changed 56 times to leave everyone at the Kingdome on the edge of their seats in one of the best NBL playoffs.

Regular season form went out the window as Perth pushed the championship favourites all the way after losing to the Kings three times by an average 23 points.

The Kings, who finished the regular season with 11 straight wins for a league best 24-9 record, started slowly and that was expected, given it was 19 days since their last game due to FIBA matches with Sydney advancing straight to the semi-finals.

With two Play-In games behind them, the Wildcats got off to a flying start to take an eight-point lead before the Kings pulled their way back with experienced forward Torrey Craig providing plenty of energy off the bench with seven points as Perth took a 24-22 lead at the end of the first term.

Matthew Dellavedova gave the Kings their first lead with an early three-pointer in the second before the lead changed several times in the second.

MVP runner Kendric Davis, who was heavily guarded, then broke free to find his rhythm, producing some dazzling play for 13 points in the second to give the Kings a 48-44 lead at half-time.

The intensity stepped up in the third as Davis, Craig, and Dellavedova added to their points tally.

However, Perth dangerman Kristian Doolittle made sure the Kings remained within reach with 17 points in the third to see Perth take a 75-73 lead to set up a final fourth quarter cliffhanger.

It was certainly that and more as both sides looked to gain the upper hand in a tight struggle that saw the scores locked at 90-90 with five minutes remaining.

With pressure and nerves mounting, a fantastic block by Makuach Maluach to prevent a Jo Lual-Acuil Jr dunk enabled Davis to pounce at the other end with a magical three with just over two and a half minutes left.

A pumped-up Davis then sank two threes before Xavier Cooks, who had a relatively quiet game to then, landed three vital free throws.

Doolittle wasn’t done with though, dropping a three-point play just under 35 seconds left to leave the visitors trailing by one.

After stopping another shot from the Kings with 11 seconds left, Perth had the chance to win the game but attempts from Lual-Acuil Jr and David Duke Jr missed as Sydney and their fans erupted after the buzzer.

Davis led the way again for Sydney with an astonishing 35 points (five three-pointers) while Craig finished with 20 after a strong first half.

Dellavedova produced 11 points and Cooks 10, including an impressive 4/5 free throws.

The Kings now take on the Wildcats in Perth on Saturday night looking to wrap up the series.