The Sydney Kings have survived a late scare to seal high spot on the NBL ladder with a 111-106 win over South East Melbourne Phoenix at Qudos Bank Arena.
After main at each change on Sunday – and by as many as 9 factors within the fourth quarter – the Kings fell behind with little greater than a minute to play earlier than holding their nerve within the clutch.
Kings guards Derrick Walton Jr (22 factors) and Dejan Vasiljevic (21) have been excellent, whereas captain Xavier Cooks (16 factors, 10 rebounds, 10 assists) produced the league’s first triple-double since present NBA star Josh Giddey in May 2021.
But when Cooks fouled out with greater than three minutes remaining, the Phoenix – led by Mitch Creek (29 factors, 9 rebounds) – pounced.
Creek’s free throws with 1:15 left put his aspect in entrance however Sydney duly iced victory following a mixture of Vasiljevic’s sturdy drive, an offensive foul in opposition to Phoenix huge man Alan Williams and profitable free throws from Jordan Hunter and Walton.
“We were able to get enough buckets to get it done but we need to be better defensively in the next couple of games,” Kings coach Chase Buford mentioned.
“When we do play well defensively, we’re usually pretty dominant and that’s what we need to focus on.”
The Phoenix, who’ve completed with a 15-13 report and clinging to sixth place, will likely be eagerly observing subsequent week’s closing spherical of matches, hoping for outcomes to go their manner in video games involving Perth, Tasmania and Melbourne.
Creek piloted an early 11-0 barrage to offer the Phoenix the higher hand earlier than the Kings responded with a 12-0 run of their very own to guide 28-25 at quartertime.
Justin Simon threw down a ferocious slam over Creek within the second time period because the Kings, regardless of some key performs from Phoenix’s little-known improvement guard Owen Foxwell, pulled forward.
Williams, scoreless and sparingly used within the first half, went to work within the put up within the third stanza because the guests momentarily pinched the lead.
Walton, Cooks and Vasiljevic responded and gave the Kings some respiratory area once more earlier than SEM mounted one final rally which fell simply brief.
“Disappointed in the fact we’ve lost and disappointed we haven’t secured our play-off spot just yet,” Phoenix coach Simon Mitchell mentioned.
“It would have been nice to have our destiny in our own hands.”
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
