Roar Rookie
While the Sydney Kings cannot make the finals, this definitely isn’t a dead rubber for the team newly-coached by Shane Heal, as they try to halt the Gold Coast Blaze’s charge for a top two spot and a home finals series. Join us for live scores and a blog of all the action from the Gold Coast convention centre tonight, with the tip at 7.30pm AEDT this evening.
The red hot 14-9 Blaze come into the match having won 8 of their last 10 games. However, they will have to battle fatigue tonight as they play for the second day in a row after a strong shooting display saw them thrash the Taipans 94-77 in Cairns last night.
American import Adris Deleon scored an impressive 23 points, including 5/8 from beyond the Arc in that match and was helped by 3 other players who registered double figures.
Should the Blaze win tonight they will go some way to attaining an allusive top 2 berth, particularly if the New Zealand Breakers are able to topple the stumbling wildcats in Perth (that match starting at 7.00pm AEDT).
Conversely, the struggling 9-15 Kings have lost 6 of 7 and have nothing but pride to play for in tonight’s fixture. They will have to find a way to shut down The Blaze impressive offense, who shot 58% from the field last night, and while they have the ability to do that they will also have to find a way to score, having averaged just 69.5 points in their last 6 matches.
Sydney last played on Friday where they lost 61-66 at home to the Tigers with inspirational captain Julian Khazzouh, Ben Madgen and Anatoly Base combining for 47 of their 61 points.
The Kings will need to see more offensive production from their other players if they are to get anything out of this one. The New South Welshmen shot just 36% from the field, and missed 11 of 13 from deep.
Prediction
The last time these two sides played Sydney were disappointing and lost 72-84 after they were blown out in the third quarter. I’d expect something similar to happen again tonight.
Gold Coast by 14.
Will the Blaze continue their surge towards the top two or can the Kings pick up an unlikely victory on the coast. Find out tonight at 7.30AEST and if you’re watching, don’t hesitate to give us your thoughts, opinion and predictions in the space below.