Kings' second-half fightback falls short against United

A huge second-half comeback by the Sydney Kings fell short on Sunday afternoon, losing 101-98 to Melbourne United at John Cairn Arena. 

Match summary 

Chris Goulding and Shaun Bruce traded triples to open the match, which was followed by efforts by Shea Ili and Cam Oliver nailed efforts from downtown. Further triples from Goulding and Bruce ensued before Rob Loe put the hosts up. A triple by Keli Leaupepe kept it close but Goulding’s barrage from downtown continued. Quick scores by Kouat Noi made it 21-18 before an offensive board by Oliver made it a one-point game. An Alex Toohey three tied it up (23-all) before a three-quarter heave by Tyler Robertson gave the Hoops Capital side the 28-27 lead after one. 

An 11-6 start from United saw the hosts regain the lead, with a pair of Leaupepe triples the lone bright spot for the harbour city side. That run continued for Dean Vickerman’s side, as the lead grew to 12 midway through the second. More triples by Goulding saw the margin balloon to 16 but scores by Oliver and Noi slowed it temporarily before Jack White and Ili chipped in to make it 60-43. Following a late flurry by Alex Toohey, United led 65-49 at the end of the high-scoring first half. 

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An Oliver triple and a pair of scores by Toohey closed the margin to 12 before Jaylen Adams’ first bucket made it a 10-point game. The continued aggression of Toohey on both ends made it 72-65, capping a 9-2 run by the visitors. The Next Star then turned provider for Leaupepe’s hoop and harm, before Noi connected with Xavier Cooks. The South Sudanese international then landed a three, as the Kings fought back to just trail by four at the final change. 

The hosts scored the first four points of the final period but the run was stopped when Adams found Cooks with a sweet dime under the hoop. The NBL22 MVP then found Bruce for an open triple, which combined with a number of big defensive plays by Oliver, made it a one-possession game. Another triple by Bruce tied it up at 83-all but suspect refereeing decisions then swung the momentum back in Melbourne’s favor. Five straight by Oliver, including a triple, made it 90-88. Free-throws by Adams and Oliver kept Sydney’s scoring ticking over before the latter made it 95-all. White and Adams then exchanged threes in the final 91 seconds but free-throws by Ili and Ian Clark, combined with empty possessions by the Kings, saw United hold on for a three-point win. 

Where the match was decided 

The Kings suffered their seventh defeat of the campaign after losing the statistical categories of rebounds (43-34), points in the paint (40-34) and second-chance points (17-7). 

Key moment 

Down the stretch, with the match tied at 98-all, United held their nerve and converted three of their four free-throws, compared to Sydney going scoreless in the final 60 seconds, to secure their 11th win of NBL25. 

Player of the game 

Oliver continued his impressive weekend on the court, by tallying 21 points, six rebounds, six steals and one assist in the loss. 

The big man was one of seven Kings to score in double-figures, alongside Toohey (16), Noi (12), Bruce (12), Leaupepe (11), Cooks (10) and Adams (10). 

What’s next 

Goorjian’s team, who are now 8-7, now head to Wellington on Saturday, December 7 to face the New Zealand Breakeras from 5.30pm AEDT - broadcast live on ESPN. 

The Hoops Capital side’s next home game is on Sunday, December 15 against Brisbane from 4.15pm AEDT at Qudos Bank Arena. 

Tickets to that game are still available here.