Xavier Cooks threw down one other contender for dunk of the 12 months as Sydney catapulted again to the highest of the NBL ladder, thumping Adelaide 97-78 at Qudos Bank Arena.
The Kings notched the primary seven factors of the match and had been by no means headed not to mention threatened on Sunday, profitable every quarter, advancing to a 9-3 document and overtaking New Zealand into first place.
Former NBA playmaker Derrick Walton Jr (16 factors, 11 assists) was at his inventive greatest, permitting large Tim Soares (18 factors) to scrub up.
Dejan Vasiljevic (15 factors, 3-of-6 three-pointers), who missed 16 straight treys in Sydney’s earlier two video games, rediscovered his perimeter stroke.
“Defensively, we executed the way we wanted to,” Kings coach Chase Buford mentioned.
“Derrick did a great job offensively of getting us in the flow, providing opportunities for others and himself.
“He had an incredible sport as a ground basic.
“It was a good performance from the guys.”
Daniel Johnson (21 factors) led the cost for the Sixers, who repeatedly fell aside on offence and had been caught napping on defence.
Skipper Cooks (15 factors) threw down a vicious dunk-of-the-year contender over 218cm Kai Sotto, eerily much like his epic jam over Melbourne centre Isaac Humphries final month.
Cooks proved a troublesome cowl for Adelaide’s frontcourt early however his wayward foul capturing saved the guests within the hunt and restricted the dominant Kings’ benefit to 24-17 at quarter-time.
Sydney bossed the second time period however Robert Franks’ three on the halftime buzzer trimmed Sydney’s cushion to 48-38.
Justin Simon’s athletic dunk in transition through Walton’s no-look dish within the third capped an 8-0 run earlier than Cooks soared for his even greater slam over Sotto later within the quarter.
The 36ers closed to inside eight late within the time period earlier than Sydney responded with an 11-0 run both facet of three-quarter-time to walk dwelling.
“We were a little tired and it takes a lot out of you to come back the way we did (after Friday’s come-from-behind win over Cairns),” Sixers coach CJ Bruton mentioned.
“You have good days and bad days.”
