Offensive onslaught helps Kings squash JackJumpers

The Sydney Kings solidified the top spot on the NBL ladder after downing Tasmania by 97-77 in front of 12,467 fans at Qudos Bank Arena on Friday. 

In the win, Kevin Lisch, stepping up for the suspended Chase Buford, became the 16th head coach in club history. 

This victory saw Hoops Capital clean sweep their double-header after the Flames defeated Canberra earlier in the night. 

Match summary 

Dejan Vasiljevic found his mojo early scoring the match’s first six points but then the JackJumpers rattled off 12 of the next 16, to lead 12-10 early on. Triples by Sean McDonald and Fabijan Krslovic paced the Ants and kept them in the lead despite five quick points by Kings forward Kouat Noi. Both teams’ free scoring continued, as the Ants led 26-25 after one. 

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That lead was quickly evaporated as the Hoops Capital side opened the period on a 15-8 run sparked by Derrick Walton Jr. Xavier Cooks then stepped it up a gear with 10 straight points for the harbour city, as the lead ballooned to 12. A late lay-up by Krslovic, as time expired made it 54-44 to the purple and gold. 

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The reigning champions kept it going in the third, scoring the first seven points to stretch their advantage to 17 – with US import seemingly being involved in everything the hosts did on offence. The bench crew, led by Noi and Angus Glover, ensured the JJs weren’t given the chance to fight back, thanks to their stifling defence and quick fastbreak basketball. 

This momentum led straight into the fourth, with big men Jordi Hunter and Tom Soares doing their bit to keep the lead in double figures. Late baskets by Justin Simon, Jaylin Galloway and Isaac Gattorna iced the game for Sydney – who ran out victorious 97-77. 

Where the match was decided 

Apart from shooting a phenomenal 69 per cent (the second-best mark ever of the Kings side) shooting from the field (compared to Tasmania’s 40 per cent), the Kings also dominated the statistical categories of rebounds (38-20), assists (17-13), points in the paint (56-20) and fastbreak points (9-4). 

Key moment 

A huge second quarter by the Kings, who outscored their opponents 29-18, laid the platform for their 13th win of NBL23. 

The catalyst of the run was Cooks, who scored 10 straight points for the Kings, as well as collecting numerous rebounds and being at his annoying best on defence. 

Player of the game 

Cooks once again showed why he should be the MVP front-runner by dominating the JJs to the tune of 23 points, seven rebounds, four assists and one block. 

The forward was well supported by Vasiljevic (13), Simon (12), Walton (11) and Noi (10). 

What’s next 

The harbour city side, who are now 13-5, will continue their summer home stand at Qudos Bank Arena, with two games in Sydney during the first week of January. 

First up is a clash with fellow championship contenders South East Melbourne from 7.30pm AEDT on Wednesday, January 4 – followed by a showdown with Perth from 8pm on Saturday, January 7. 

Tickets are still available for the two games here.