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.
Daniel Jourdain
Roar Rookie
Thanks for joining me for this coverage of the iinet NBL. Blaze deserving winners tonight. I'll be back for the next TV game which I believe is the Hawks V The Breakers on friday night. Good night, and have a good one.
Daniel Jourdain
Roar Rookie
The Breakers have beaten the Wildcats 101-99 in overtime so that gives the Gold Coast a big chance at a top 2 position.
Daniel Jourdain
Roar Rookie
And its all over. Sydney had a big first half, but were no where to be seen in the 3rd quarter and thats what cost them. Gold Coast 90 Sydney 83 Man of the match is a coin toss between Deleon for the Gold Coast and Madgen for Sydney. Probably has to go to Deleon, because he led his team to a win.
Daniel Jourdain
Roar Rookie
Hudson has a chance to take this game to a one possesion game. But he misses them both, the first shot he's missed all night and you'd think thats game over. Gold Coast 86 Sydney 80
Daniel Jourdain
Roar Rookie
Deleon is 2Hard2Guard, gets to the line again and hits them both. Bose gets the hard foul and the 3 point chance, but misses the free throw. Gold Coast 85 Sydney 80
Daniel Jourdain
Roar Rookie
Stupid, Stupid foul from Steve Martin gets Deleon to the line. He hits both, and then Sydney dribble the ball out of bounds. Sydney thier own worst enemy at the moment. Cooper hits the long 3, keeping the Kings in the game. Gold Coast 83 Sydney 78
Daniel Jourdain
Roar Rookie
Jerai Grant sits after a 5th Foul. The kid has played well tonight with 19 points and 5 rebounds. Gold Coast 81 Sydney 75
Daniel Jourdain
Roar Rookie
If It wasn't for Madgen the Kings would be down plenty more than they are. He hits another 3. He's hit 30. Gold Coast 81 Sydney 72
Daniel Jourdain
Roar Rookie
Deleon runs into Luke Cooper and somehow gets the call. Hometown call at its best. Gold Coast 79 Sydney 67
Daniel Jourdain
Roar Rookie
Kings starting to get back into this with a couple of turn overs and a mini-run. You would think this was over, but a couple more shots could change that. Gold Coast 77 Sydney 67
Daniel Jourdain
Roar Rookie
The officiating hasn't helped them, although even if it was decent they'd still struggle. Gold Coast have been powerful.
Daniel Jourdain
Roar Rookie
Deleon passes the ball half the court, hits the numbers (to steal a term from american football) and Petrie hits the nice shot. Gold Coast 76 Sydney 63
mds1970
Roar Guru
Yet again the Kings lead at half time but can't last the distance. Very frustrating.
Daniel Jourdain
Roar Rookie
Worthington finishes his night after commiting a 5th foul. He ends with 9 points. Gold Coast 74 Sydney 61
Daniel Jourdain
Roar Rookie
Grant Jams it down for about the 12th time tonight. Deleon gets fouled taking a shot in transition. He hits 1 of 2, and Sydney have committed 4 fouls to 0 to start the quarter. Gold Coast 72 Sydney 61
Daniel Jourdain
Roar Rookie
In one of tonights other games the Breakers have clawed back a 9 point 3 Quarter deficit to likely go OT in Perth. Score there is 89 all with 0:08 left.
Daniel Jourdain
Roar Rookie
Cadee drops one from the corner. Madgen taking on the Blaze single handly, hits a couple of nice shots at the start of this quarter. Gold Coast 69 Sydney 57
Daniel Jourdain
Roar Rookie
Deleon finds a way to the line with 0:04 to go in the game. Such a great ball player. And as I say that he misses 2/3 from the line. Gold Coast 66 Sydney 53 End of 3.
Daniel Jourdain
Roar Rookie
WOW! Deleon showing his street ball skills as he hits the 3 from the Car Park! Gold Coast 65 Sydney 49
Daniel Jourdain
Roar Rookie
Hoare goes coast to coast. Blaze doing it easy. Disappointing as this looked as though it was going to be a close one. Gold Coast 62 Sydney 49