Kings win game 3 in front of record crowd

An all-time NBL record crowd of over 18,000 has seen the Sydney Kings claim game three of the Championship Series.

In front of another electric atmosphere at Qudos Bank Arena, the crowd of 18,373 saw the Kings take a 2-1 lead in the best of five series with a 106-93 victory.

The crowd eclipsed the previous record set in game five of the NBL Championship Series in 2023.

Every time the Kings sank a basket, especially when it was Kendric Davis, the roar got louder. Many times, Sydney fans chanted ‘MVP, MVP’ to let Davis know of their love and support.

As expected, the Kings crowd certainly showed no love to Adelaide’s Bryce Cotton, with the NBL’s actual MVP guard constantly booed from the first touch of the ball, just as Davis was in Adelaide in game two.

Cotton was reduced to just five points and five assists in the first term after some heavy defensive pressure from Matthew Dellavedova and Makuach Malauch.

The 36ers took a 31-24 lead into the second quarter with John Jenkins leading the way with 14 points. The second quarter was a tighter contest with the 36ers taking a 53-52 lead into half-time.

Davis again led the way for the Kings with 22 points while Cotton was kept to just two more points but had five assists.  Both sides went to the break with 22 rebounds each.

The intensity on and off the court lifted in the third with Davis adding a further seven points for 29. Cotton had just seven points but was proving deadly with 12 assists as the Kings took a 73-70 lead into the final quarter.

The Kings managed to pull away to a handy 11-point lead at the halfway mark in the fourth with the Sydney crowd getting even louder with each basket made to secure a strong victory.

For Sydney, Davis finished with 34 points from 11 field goals and four three-pointers. He also led the way with an incredible 15 assists in a masterful display.

Davis was well supported by co-captain Xavier Cooks with the forward producing 18 points, eight rebounds and five assists.

Cotton was well handled by the Kings, finishing with 15 points and 12 assists.

The Kings now head to Adelaide on Wednesday night to try and secure the championship.