Road Kings smash United to extend streak to 16

The Sydney Kings extended their NBL road win record to 16 on Sunday, by defeating Melbourne United 87-69 at John Cain Arena. 

The 18-point win marks the first time Sydney has beaten United twice in Melbourne in the same season and the lowest-ever score by the hosts against the Kings. 

Match summary 

United raced out of the gates, to lead 16-6 after just four minutes – behind hot shooting and sloppy Sydney turnovers. 

But Chase Buford’s team responded with a 10-run, sparked by Derrick Walton Jr, Jordi Hunter and Dejan Vasiljevic, to close within two (18-16) - before United edge up to 25-22 at the first change, marking Melbourne’s highest opening term point total in NBL23. 

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As he did in the meeting a fortnight ago, Xavier Cooks took control of the game in the second quarter and gave the visitors their first lead of the fixture – thanks to a 7-0 run. 

The dominant second term extended to 13-2 for Sydney – helping the lead balloon to eight points (35-27). 

But Dean Vickerman’s side responded, thanks to Chris Goulding, to close within one (40-39) at half-time. 

Goulding and David Okwera triples helped United open the third on a 6-2 run but Tim Soares’ vicious fast-break dunk and a quick five points by Kouat Noi helped the Hoops Capital side regain the lead. 

Excellent defence by the purple and gold put the clamps on United’s scoring (keeping them scoreless for three minutes) - seeing the advantage grow to nine (56-47). 

Late shots from downtown by Hunter and Shaun Bruce ensured the Kings went into the final change with an 11-point lead (65-54). 

Sydney’s momentum didn’t slow down in the fourth, scoring five of the first seven points. 

Further strong play by Hunter, Bruce and Vasiljevic pushed the lead out to 77-60 with 6.34 on the clock. 

After emptying the bench and allowing the young guns to get some clock, the Kings ran out winners 87-69 - moving them to 4-0 on the road this season. 

Where the match was decided 

The was won by the Kings due to their superior field goal percentage (51-35), rebounding (45-39), assists (24-16), blocks (7-3), points in the paint (50-26), bench points (31-16) and fast-break points (17-0). 

Key moments 

Two stretches (the start of the second quarter and middle of the third) by the Kings, where they put the clamps of United defensively, while also finding their mojo offensively on the break, proved pivotal for Buford’s troops and sparked the team to its fifth win of NBL23. 

Player of the game 

As exceptional as MVP candidate Xavier Cooks (14 points, 11 rebounds and five dimes) was, the standout in the Kings’ triumph was bench big man Jordi Hunter. 

In 19.51 minutes, the North Bears product tallied 12 points, seven rebounds, four blocks and one triple - and provided plenty of effort plays at loose balls. 

What’s next 

The Hoops Capital side (now 5-2) is now done with their three straight double-headers and will play just once in round five when they host Cairns, who are 4-2 on the season, at Qudos Bank Arena from 8pm AEDT on Saturday. 

The showdown will give Buford’s side a chance to avenge their 83-78 round three defeat, at the same venue, to the Taipans when the two sides clash in the Kings’ fourth home game of NBL23.