The Sydney Kings wrapped up their NBL25 Blitz with a tough 90-79 victory over the New Zealand Breakers at the Gold Coast Sports and Leisure Centre on Friday night.
Alex Toohey hit a triple on the opening play to start proceedings for the Kings, which was followed up by a jam in traffic by the Canberra product. Despite a three by Cam Oliver, Sydney fell behind 12-9 after a Mojave King triple. The Hoops Capital side regained the lead after a Jason Spurgin triple and Makuach Maluach steal and lay-up. Hustle players by Keli Leaupepe and a clutch shot from downtown ensured Brian Goorjian’s side went into the first change level 23-all.
NBL Next Star Toohey once again got the scoring underway for the purple and gold, as baskets by Leaupepe and Oliver kept it rolling for Sydney. But scores by Matt Mooney, King and former King Jonah Bolden saw New Zealand move out to a 37-33 lead midway through the second. A late score by Jaylin Galloway was quickly erased by Mooney, as the Breakers led 44-40 at the main break.
An 8-0 run, capped by an Oliver triple, saw Sydney regain the lead early in the third. The two sides then traded baskets, through Freddie Gillespie and Toohey, as neither side could gain an ascendancy. Back-to-back buckets, including an and-one, by Tyler Robertson, put the five-time NBL champions up 60-57. But an 8-2 run by the Auckland-based side saw them lead by three at the final change.
A Bruce triple quickly levelled it, which sparked the Kings to a 7-0 run to start the period. Leaupepe’s energy on both sides helped the Kings’ defence go up a notch, as that run extended to 14-5 through the first six minutes of the term. The Kings’ offence continued to tick thanks to Oliver before Gillespie was disqualified from the match after an incident with Bruce. In the end, the purple and gold ran away with it by 11 points.
Where the match was decided
The Blitz win was set up by statistical victories by the Kings in three-point percentage (42-33), rebounds (33-28) and fast-break points (11-6).
Key moment
A huge fourth-quarter surge by the Kings, in which they outscored their rivals 28-14 secured them their second win on the Gold Coast.
Player of the game
Toohey (24 points, three assists and two rebounds) and Oliver (21 points, five boards, three dimes and two steals) led the way for the Kings.
Others to score in double-figures were Bruce (12), Leaupepe (12) and Robertson (11)
What’s next
Brian Goorjian’s team next head to Perth for the first-ever HoopsFest, where they’ll take on the Adelaide 36ers from 2.30pm AEST on Sunday, September 22.
The opening round fixture will be broadcast live on Channel 10 and ESPN via Kayo Sports.
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