Round 12 Preview: Kings vs Wildcats and Bullets

Revenge. Redemption. Call it what you will.

That’s what the Brydens Lawyers Sydney Kings will be searching for on Thursday night in Perth when they take on the Wildcats at RAC Arena, in the first of what is a revised road/home double in Round 12 that sees the team return to Sydney for a Saturday night clash with the Brisbane Bullets at Qudos Bank Arena.

But top of mind for the purple and gold is dealing with a Wildcat juggernaut that is currently riding a season-high seven game winning streak and in their last game sent the Kings to their worst defeat of the season, a performance last Sunday where Perth restricted Sydney to just 21 second half points and held them to 65 points total, the fewest points ever scored by the Kings in a game at Qudos Bank Arena.

There were many issues leading to Sydney’s disappointing night. But the main focus for Head Coach Adam Forde will be addressing the Kings’ rebounding woes that saw Perth monster Sydney on the glass to the tune of 51-32, including a 19-7 edge in offensive rebounding.

The Wildcats’ dominance on the boards, particularly in the second half, enabled them to shut down the Kings’ transition game, and Perth’s suffocating defence rendered Sydney’s half-court offence ineffective. Coach Forde’s message will be to get tough on the glass and put a body on every Wildcat in all rebounding contests.

Sydney will also need to figure out a way – if at all possible – to limit the effectiveness of Perth superstar and MVP favourite Bryce Cotton (26.1ppg, 2.8rpg, 6.0apg, 1.8spg, 43.3% FG, 35.3% 3PT FG, 89.5% FT, 35.9mpg), who hit three massive triples to kickstart his team’s third period charge last Sunday.

It’s easier said than done given Cotton’s superb movement without the ball, his relentless activity and unerring ability to hit big shots, and there’s no question it will take a committed group effort, especially at a venue where he is so comfortable.

The Kings also need to do a better job in restricting Wildcat big man John Mooney (17.1ppg, 12.3rpg, 2.8apg, 1.0spg, 54.3% FG, 56.0% 3PT FG, 76.0% FT, 32.1mpg), who had another double-double last Sunday and controlled the airspace in the second half, while Todd Blanchfield (13.9ppg, 3.2rpg, 45.0% FG, 35.5% 3PT FG, 78.3% FT, 26.9mpg) is a threat to score at all three levels, Mitch Norton (7.5ppg, 3.6rpg, 4.2apg, 41.6% FG, 28.6% 3PT FG, 73.7% FT, 25.4mpg) is a physical, lockdown defender and long range gunner Clint Steindl is beginning to find his groove from the perimeter.

And of course, maybe the biggest challenge for the Kings will be dealing with 10,000 Wildcat fanatics making up the vaunted Red Army and an environment which is unquestionably the most intimidating in the National Basketball League.

After Thursday night, things get no easier for the purple and gold, even though they are coming home. A long flight across the Nullarbor after what figures to be a tough game and a too-short preparation followed by a Saturday night matchup with the Brisbane Bullets presents both mental and physical challenges.

And while the Bullets are coming off a blowout loss to the Illawarra Hawks last Monday night at the WIN Entertainment Centre, they will be rested for this game and boast serious offensive firepower.

Guard Nathan Sobey (22.8ppg, 3.8rpg, 4.2apg, 1.1spg, 48.5% FG, 39.4% 3PT FG, 87.0% FT, 33.7mpg) and import forward Vic Law (18.8ppg, 8.3rpg, 2.5apg, 1.3bpg, 46.6% FG, 29.7% 3PT FG, 82.5% FT, 32.5mpg) represent a deadly one-two punch for Brisbane. Sobey has great speed up and down the floor, is devastating in transition and can burn you from long distance; Law is coming off an injury but gets it done at both ends of the court and has great mobility and strength.

Brisbane also has plenty of threats from the perimeter in Anthony Drmic (11.0ppg, 3.2rpg, 47.3% FG, 34.3% 3PT FG, 70.0% FT, 23.9mpg), Jason Cadee (9.8ppg, 2.5rpg, 3.7apg, 1.1spg, 36.2% FG, 33.1% 3PT FG, 82.4% FT, 27.0mpg) and Tanner Krebs (6.4ppg, 2.4rpg, 42.2% FG, 29.3% 3PT FG, 87.5% FT, 19.2mpg), plus a ton of size up front with Matt Hodgson, Tyrell Harrison and Harry Froling.

Where the Kings will feel confident is in their ability to score against the Bullets, who are the worst defensive team in the league. In their previous meeting at Nissan Arena in Brisbane, Sydney blasted 119 points in a 119-108 win – the 119 points representing the most the Kings have ever scored in a 40-minute game.

This is a big weekend for the Sydney Kings. Currently sitting in fifth place on the NBL ladder with a 9-9 record and in the middle of a four-team logjam, two wins in Round 12 would be enormous to both get the club back on track and establish the purple and gold back in the top four.

It’s going to take a tremendous effort to get that done from everyone on the roster, but there’s no question the Kings will lean heavily on imports Casper Ware (19.0ppg, 3.5rpg, 4.3apg, 45.0% 3PT FG, 35.8% 3PT FG, 82.7% FT, 31.9mpg) and Jarell Martin (17.2ppg, 6.1rpg, 53.6% FG, 39.1% 3PT FG, 71.7% FT, 24.5mpg) while the outside shooting of Dejan Vasiljevic (16.8ppg, 3.6rpg, 1.9apg, 48.2% FG, 44.8% 3PT FG, 88.4% FT, 28.9mpg) needs to have a major impact and the veteran experience of Brad Newley and Daniel Kickert will be enormous in the madhouse that is RAC Arena.

Rest assured, the Sydney Kings are up for the fight. Pride is at stake.

Rise With Us Sydney.

 

WHO

Sydney Kings vs. Perth Wildcats

Sydney Kings vs. Brisbane Bullets

WHEN

Thursday 1 April, 9:30pm AEDT tipoff (vs. Wildcats)

Saturday 3 April, 5:30pm AEDT tipoff (vs. Bullets)

LOCATION

Thursday: RAC Arena, Perth

Saturday: Qudos Bank Arena

TICKETS

Saturday vs. Bullets available HERE

TV/RADIO

Thursday: ESPN; SBS On Demand; NBL.TV; Cluch Radio, SWR99.9FM Radio

Saturday: SBS Viceland; SBS On Demand; NBL.TV; Cluch Radio, SWR99.9FM Radio

THE PLAYERS

Kings

Casper Ware (import); Dejan Vasiljevic; Didi Louzada (Next Star); Jarell Martin (import); Jordan Hunter

Brad Newley; Craig Moller; Shaun Bruce; Tom Vodanovich; Daniel Kickert; Jaylin Galloway (development player); Archie Woodhill (development player)

Wildcats

Bryce Cotton (import); Mitch Norton; Todd Blanchfield; Jarred Bairstow; John Mooney (import)

Jesse Wagstaff; Clint Steindl; Kevin White; Corey Shervill; Tom Jervis; Luke Travers; Wani Swaka Lo Buluk

Bullets

Nathan Sobey; Anthony Drmic; Tanner Krebs; Vic Law (import); Tyrell Harrison

Jason Cadee; Harry Froling; Matt Hodgson; Tamuri Wigness; Jamaal Robateau; Blake Jones

THE COACHES

Kings

Adam Forde (NBL rookie head coach, NBL career record 9-9)

Wildcats

Trevor Gleeson (8^th season with Wildcats, record with Perth 157-87, NBL career record 260-175, five NBL championships)

Bullets

Andrej Lemanis (5^th season with Bullets, record with Brisbane 57-75, NBL career record 207-183, three NBL championships)

2020/2021 REGULAR SEASON SERIES

Vs. Wildcats

Wildcats lead 2-0

Wildcats def. Kings 113-106 @ John Cain Arena, Melbourne, Round 6

Wildcats def. Kings 89-65 @ Qudos Bank Arena, Round 11

Vs. Bullets

Tied 1-1

Bullets def. Kings 90-87 @ Nissan Arena, Round 3

Kings def. Bullets 119-108 @ Nissan Arena, Round 9

NBL LADDER

Kings 9-9, fifth

Wildcats 13-4, first

Bullets: 9-9, sixth

KEY STATS

Kings

Points: Casper Ware, 19.0ppg

Rebounds: Jarell Martin, 6.1rpg

Assists: Casper Ware, 4.3apg

Wildcats

Points: Bryce Cotton, 26.1ppg

Rebounds: John Mooney, 12.3rpg

Assists: Bryce Cotton, 6.0apg

Bullets

Points: Nathan Sobey, 22.8ppg

Rebounds: Vic Law, 8.3rpg

Assists: Nathan Sobey, 4.2apg

KEY MATCHUP

Vs. Wildcats

Jordan Hunter vs. John Mooney

Mooney has probably exceeded most expectations in what for all intents and purposes is his rookie campaign after a stellar four-year stint at Notre Dame University in the United States, where he led the NCAA in double-doubles (double figures in a game for both points and rebounds) in his senior year. Indeed, he’s carried his college form into the NBL and is a big reason why the Wildcats lead the league. He’s a rebounding force, a better shooter than advertised and has seamlessly fitted into Trevor Gleeson’s system. As far as Jordan Hunter is concerned, it’s obvious he has benefited mightily under the tutelage of Andrew Bogut and Luc Longley and is in the frame for league Most Improved. He’s extremely mobile, is developing a potent low post game and is getting stronger on the glass. If he can restrict Mooney to a degree, especially on the boards, it will go a long way to helping Sydney get the W on Thursday.

Vs. Bullets

Jarell Martin vs. Vic Law

Law has been sensational at times for Brisbane this season, and represents a massive challenge for Sydney’s frontcourt. The former NBA G-League star can do it all offensively, from his ability to hit the three to a consistent midrange game and athleticism that can get him to the rack seemingly at will; he’s also an excellent rebounder and rim protector and has good size and strength. Jarell Martin’s key attribute is his tremendous footwork, which enables him to be a matchup nightmare in the low post. He overpowers quicker guys with his size and out-quicks bigger opponents, and has the ability to face up and knock down the perimeter jumper. Sydney needs to make a focus of getting Jarell the rock early and often in the paint, a place where he can do serious damage.

THE QUESTIONS

Can the Kings shock the Wildcats again in Perth?

Will the Kings bounce back at Qudos Bank Arena?

HISTORY

Vs. Wildcats

All-time Head-to-Head

99 games played; Wildcats lead 60-39

In Perth

47 games played; Wildcats lead 34-13

At RAC Arena

17 games played; Wildcats lead 14-3

Vs. Bullets

All-time Head-to-Head

80 games played; Kings lead 45-35

In Sydney

38 games played; Kings lead 27-11

At Qudos Bank Arena

12 games played; Kings lead 9-3

DID YOU KNOW?

Sydney plays their 100^th game against the Perth Wildcats this Thursday, and while the ‘Cats have had the overall wood over the Kings in Perth since 1988, in recent times the purple and gold have begun to make some inroads. In fact, Sydney has won one game in Perth in each of the past three seasons, including of course their 97-83 win in Game Two of the NBL20 Grand Final.

And against the Bullets in Sydney, the Kings have been dominant of late, currently riding a four-game winning streak against Brisbane at Qudos Bank Arena that includes a 94-79 win in Round Four of last season. The last time the Bullets won a game in the Kings’ home stadium was in Round 9 of the 2017/2018 season. Sydney’s biggest ever win at the venue over Brisbane was a 122-95 blowout of the Bullets in Round 3 of the 2001/2002 season behind 34 points from Matthew Nielsen.