The Brisbane Bullets have beaten the Kings in a close finishing game with a four-point win at the Qudos Bank arena in Sydney.
It was not an instant classic but the game gave us what we all want which is a close tight finish, Brad Newley of the Sydney Kings missing a potential game-tying shot at the buzzer.
Sydney started off well but the Bullets made a run in the middle stages of the first quarter and never really looked back.
The Kings were in foul trouble for most of the first half and it showed with both big men in Aleks Maric and Greg Whittington spending a lot of time on the bench. With them on the bench Daniel Kickert and Tom Jervis were unstoppable down low while Torrey Craig was fantastic on the boards.
Reigning MVP Kevin Lisch was quiet in the first half but came out a lot better in the second eventually being the game’s leading scorer with 20 for the night.
The Bullets threatened to break the game open at a number of times, despite getting the lead out to 10 points at one stage Sydney just wouldn’t quit.
The Kings took the lead back midway through the 4th quarter but they never looked like they would push it out to a sizeable advantage, Brisbane responded strongly and eventually held on long enough for the win.
Sydney were boosted in the 2nd half not only by the play of Kevin Lisch but also Jeromie Hill who stood up tall when his team needed it.
The final few minutes were a flurry of baskets from both teams and when the Kings tied it up at 69 apiece you had a feeling they may be able to take out the game, however a technical foul called against the Kings zapped the momentum (despite Brisbane not scoring the free throw).
In the dying seconds the Kings had the ball on the sidelines, Newley inbounded the ball and then got it back for the game-tying shot but it clanged off and Brisbane were able to collect the rebound for the win.
Andrew Gaze will be feeling as little dejected after the close loss but he will take solace in knowing it could have been much worse.
Final score
Sydney Kings 73
Brisbane Bullets 77
The Sydney Kings will open their 2016-17 NBL campaign against the Brisbane Bullets on Saturday. Join The Roar from 5:30pm (AEDT) for a live blog of the game.
The NSW vs Queensland rivalry will continue in the opening round of the NBL season with the boys from the Sydney Kings facing a returning Brisbane Bullets outfit who are back in the NBL after being out of the competition since 2009.
The Kings will be opening their season in front of a home side while Brisbane will be facing their second game of the season and first away from home.
Sydney had a big off-season getting a new owner a new coach as well as a new arena, Sydney also scored big on the court by convincing reigning MVP Kevin Lisch to turn his back on the Hawks for the purple and gold of the Kings.
Brisbane have had to build their team from scratch and have managed to put together a very solid team including former NBA player and current Boomer Cameron Bairstow, along with former Wildcats player Jermaine Beal. The team looks set to be a surprise packet in the competition.
These two teams faced off in the preseason competition with Brisbane getting the early bragging rights in what was a hard fought 83-79 victory. Tom Jervis of the Bullets was the leading scorer in that game with Greg Whittington was the scoring leader for Sydney with 17.
With Sydney playing their first home game at the Qudos Bank Arena expect the stands to be rocking with Kings fans, however the Brisbane Bullets team has the roster to push Sydney all the way.
Prediction
Sydney will have the home court and will be hungry to get a big win first up. The Bullets may be feeling a little worn out after their opening night game but that opening game should have knocked off most of the rust the players would be feeling after the offseason.
Brisbane by 3
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of the NBL from 5:30pm (AEDT).
Follow Sam on Twitter @postgamesport
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Thanks for joining me and again tune in later this evening for Scott's coverage of the Wildcats and Taipans,
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
FULLTIME The Brisbane Bullets have beaten the Kings in a close finishing game with a 4 point win at the Qudos Bank arena in Sydney. It was not an instant classic but the game gave us what we all want which is a close tight finish, Brad Newley of the Sydney Kings missing a potential game tying shot at the buzzer. Sydney started off well but the Bullets made a run in the middle stages of the first quarter and never really looked back. The Kings were in foul trouble for most of the first half and it showed with both big men in Aleks Maric and Greg Whittington spending a lot of time on the bench. With them on the bench Daniel Kickert and Tom Jervis were unstoppable down low while Torrey Craig was fantastic on the boards. Reigning MVP Kevin Lisch was quiet in the first half but came out a lot better in the second eventually being the game’s leading scorer with 20 for the night. The Bullets threatened to break the game open at a number of times, despite getting the lead out to 10 points at one stage Sydney just wouldn’t quit. The Kings took the lead back midway through the 4th quarter but they never looked like they would push it out to a sizeable advantage, Brisbane responded strongly and eventually held on long enough for the win. Sydney were boosted in the 2nd half not only by the play of Kevin Lisch but also Jeromie Hill who stood up tall when his team needed it. The final few minutes were a flurry of baskets from both teams and when the Kings tied it up at 69 apiece you had a feeling they may be able to take out the game, however a technical foul called against the Kings zapped the momentum (despite Brisbane not scoring the free throw), In the dying seconds the Kings had the ball on the sidelines, Newley inbounded the ball and then got it back for the game tying shot but it clanged off and Brisbane were able to collect the rebound for the win. Andrew Gaze will be feeling as little dejected after the close loss but he will take solace in knowing it could have been much worse. Where to now for both teams, Sydney has an interstate clash against the Illawarra Hawks on Thursday (7:30pm AEDT) while the Bullets have an 8 day break before facing Adelaide next Sunday at 6pm AEDT. Final Score Brisbane Bullets 77 Sydney Kings 73
Rellum
Roar Guru
Completely missed this game. Great win on the road just days after a game against a fresh team
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Yeah good to have it back in general. Kings were lucky it was that close to be honest as they were pretty bad at times. Fouls did not help them early so Gazey will want to crack down on his players for that no doubt,
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Quarter by quarter scores. 1st Sydney 14 Brisbane 17 2nd Sydney 20 Brisbane 21 3rd Sydney 16 Brisbane 18 4th Sydney 23 Brisbane 21 Leading scorers Kevin Lisch 20 (Sydney Kings) Daniel Kickert 17 (Brisbane Bullets) Jeromie Hill 14 (Sydney Kings) Rebound leaders. Torrey Craig 17 (Brisbane Bullets) Brad Newley 6 (Sydney Kings) Tom Jervis 5 (Brisbane Bullets) Assist leader Brad Newley 5 (Sydney Kings) 3 Brisbane players all with 4 Team Stats. FG Sydney 25/63 Brisbane 23/56 FG% Sydney 39% Brisbane 41% 3P Sydney 8/20 Brisbane 4/13 3P% Sydney 40% Brisbane 30% Rebounds Sydney 30 Brisbane 40 Assists Sydney 13 Brisbane 15 Turnovers Sydney 9 Brisbane 15 Final score Brisbane 77 Sydney 73 Player of the Game Daniel Kickert of Brisbane. Reminder to tune back into the Roar and Follow Scott Prydes coverage of the Perth Wildcats and Cairns Taipans live from the Perth Arena at 9:30pm AEDT.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Hmm bugger. Disappointing to not win but great to see Basketball back with a bang in Sydney.
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Newley misses the shot attempt and the Bullets will win the game. There was a late foul called but there is less than a second to go. Brisbane Bullets defeat Sydney Kings 77- 73. Full stats and match report to follow soon.
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Who takes the shot for the Kings?
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Time out is called. Craig made 1 of the 2 free throws. Kings 73 Bullets 76 5 seconds to go in the game.
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Cadee missed the 2nd and it is a 2 point lead to the Bullets. 4 seconds to play and Torrey Craig of the Bullets will shoot 2 to ice the game.
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Cadee gets fouled and he will go to the line Kings down 3.
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Bryson gets the 2 for the Kings back to 3 point deficit, Kings 72 Bullets 75. 12 seconds to go.
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Kickert at the free throw line to extend this lead. he makes them both and it is a 5 point game. Kings 70 Bullets 75 47 seconds left in the game.
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Possibly a costly incorrect call from the refs there, Cadee was called out but replay's weren't exactly conclusive.
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Newley gets a steal and runs down the court for the layup but misses Whittington tries to slam it back in but he also misses.
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Nice littel backdoor cut from Lisch misses but he was fouled. He goes to the line and makes them both. Kings 70 Bullets 73 1:48 left in the game.
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Big final minutes here for the Kings. They need to get the stops and then score at the other end.
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Mitchell Young at the free throw line and makes them both. Kings 68 Bullets 73 2 minutes left in the game.
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Sean Bruce gets a big 3 for the Bullets. Kings 68 Bullets 71 2 minutes left in the game.
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Cadee on the fast break ties it up again. Kings 68 Bullets 68 3 minutes left in the game.