The final round of the NBL commences with the Sydney Kings hosting an undermanned Perth Wildcats at the Sydney Olympic Park Sports Centre. Join The Roar for all the action from 7:30pm (AEDT).
These sides aren’t strangers, having met just last Friday, and while the scoreboard will tell you that the Wildcats were dominant winners, the Kings showed a lot more heart and determination than in previous weeks.
Sydney were without key bigs Tom Garlepp and Jeromie Hill, forcing assistant coach Ben Knight to suit up once again.
In fairness, Perth played the game without import Casey Prather, who succumbed to soreness, and their second unit played the majority of minutes, as coach Trevor Gleeson subbed off all of his starters in under two minutes after the Kings began the game with an 11-point run.
Tom Jervis and Jesse Wagstaff will have to step up again in this one, as the Wildcats have rested four starters due to ‘injury’. It is strange that they would rest these players with top spot still on the line, but they obviously feel like it is inevitable Melbourne will win at least one of their two games against New Zealand this week.
With Nate Jawai, Casey Prather, Damien Martin and Jermaine Beal all out of this one, the Kings come into contention, especially with the likely return of Tom Garlepp, who dropped 30 the last time he met Perth.
While Perth come into this one with the playoffs and keeping their stars healthy a clear focus, Sydney have nothing to lose, and want to finish their home season with a big scalp for their loyal fans.
The presence of Jawai, grit of Martin and pure skill of both Beal and Prather will be sorely missed, giving the slight lean to Sydney. Josh Childress will be full of confidence after a game-high 30, and Garlepp’s return gives Sydney a bigger threat in the paint.
Prediction
While Perth won with starters playing limited minutes last game, it will be too much of a mountain to climb with four of those starters out.
Kings by 7
Join The Roar for live scores of this NBL Round 19 match from 7:30pm (AEDT), and don’t forget to leave a comment if you’re following along.
Sean Teuma
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Sydney 103 Perth 77 It was always going to be tough for Perth to come over to Sydney with just six of their full squad out on court against a Sydney side welcoming back Tom Garlepp. They hung in there for the first quarter, keeping the lead to just four points, before foul trouble to Redhage and Jervis heavily restricted their minutes. Greg Hire managed to make his way back out after suffering a sickening head knock from an Angus Brandt challenge. Sydney got to the line and converted, racing out to a 59-46 lead at the main break on the back of a determined effort from Childress. The second half proved to follow the pattern of the second quarter, with Jervis again not being able to get his big frame on court for most of that second half. Thornton played one his best quarters all year, dropping some big threes to keep the Wildcats at bay and not let that lead get into single digits. The final term saw everyone on both benches see some game time, including AFL convert Craig Moller who came on with under two minutes to play. This game won't tell us much about how Perth will perform in the playoffs, with it being wise to simply put a pen through the performance. What it does mean though is Melbourne United have clinched the Minor Premiership, with Perth guaranteed to finish in second spot, which will most likely see them face off against the Illawarra Hawks.
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FULL TIME LEADERS POINTS - Childress 25, Garlepp 22, Thornton 16 REBOUNDS - Childress 11, Knight 9, Brandt 7 ASSISTS - Childress 4, Cadee 4, Wroe 3, Garlepp 3
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FULL TIME STATS REBOUNDS - Sydney 38, Perth 29 ASSISTS - Sydney 19, Perth 14 FG % - Sydney 55, Perth 44 3P % - Sydney 40, Perth 25 FT % - Sydney 79, Perth 62 POINTS IN THE PAINT - Sydney 40, Perth 40 STEALS - Sydney 6, Perth 5 BLOCKS - Sydney 4, Perth 0 TURNOVERS - Sydney 12, Perth 11
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FULL TIME Sydney proves far too strong for a depleted Perth roster, running out dominant winners in the end. Josh Childress gets the Man of the Match honours with 25 points, 11 rebounds and 4 assists. Sydney 103 Perth 77
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Q4 - 0' Faithfull is fouled and makes both from the line. He's been impressive tonight. Sydney 103 Perth 77
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Q4 - 0' Hire comes up with the ruthless steal and bucket. Sydney 101 Perth 77
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Fun fact, not one Kings player on the court has their name on the back of their jersey.
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Q4 - 1' Kearins, Moller and Trustum check in for the Kings. Sydney 101 Perth 75
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Q4 - 2' Childress comes up with the steal and draws the unsportsmanlike foul. Childress makes both free throws as the Kinsg retain possession. Sydney 101 Perth 75
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Q4 - 2' Hire proves that bandages don't hinder shooting, scoring a long three. Sydney 99 Perth 75
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Q4 - 3' Jervis finally stops this Sydney run with a lay up. Just as he does, Childress keeps that lead at 27 with another jump shot. Sydney 99 Perth 72
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Q4 - 4' Perth are over the limit as Hire pick up number three. Cadee drops one from the line. Sydney 97 Perth 70
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Q4 - 4' Garlepp with the running hook shot. that gives him 22 for the evening. Sydney 96 Perth 70
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Q4 - 5' Cadee draws the foul on Wroe as he makes both from the line. Sydney 94 Perth 70
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Q4 - 5' Faithfull rejects Kenny before Brandt converts in the paint. Sydney 92 Perth 70
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Q4 - 5' Childress drives to the basket again, as Kenny picks up his fourth foul. He makes one free throw. Sydney 90 Perth 70
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Q4 - 6' Wagstaff takes advantage of the Cadee mismatch, before Faithfull hits from long range. Redhage picks up his fourth foul with a charge. Sydney 89 Perth 70
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Q4 - 7' Garlepp again with the sweet mid-range jumper. That's his shot. Sydney 86 Perth 68
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Q4 - 8' Jervis with the left-hander, giving him four for the term. Sydney 84 Perth 68
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Q4 - 8' Faithfull finds an open Cadee who drops a long bomb. Sydney 84 Perth 66