The Sydney Kings have made it five wins in a row after knocking off the Brisbane Bullets by nine points on Sunday afternoon.
Final score
Sydney Kings 87
Brisbane Bullets 78
The Sydney Kings will be looking to extend their winning streak to five as they host the Brisbane Bullets this afternoon at Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 3pm (AEDT).
In what is arguably the match of the round, the Kings will be looking for revenge after losing at home to the Bullets in the first round of the season, 77-73.
Sydney haven’t lost a game since the defeat and are fresh off a commanding 27-point victory over the Illawarra Hawks with Kevin Lisch pouring in 19 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists.
An explosive third quarter powered the Kings to victory, outscoring the Hawks 25-6 and putting the game well beyond reach.
The Bullets meanwhile started last round with a loss to Melbourne United as their 16 turnovers and inefficiency from the field cost them the victory.
They bounced back with a six-point victory over the New Zealand Breakers as five players finished in double-figures scoring.
Torrey Craig scored 17 points on 66 per cent shooting while former Chicago Bulls forward Cameron Bairstow chipped in 14 points off the bench.
The game will also mark the debut for NBA veteran guard Steve Blake, who is expected to provide leadership and playmaking off the bench.
The 36-year-old averaged 6.5 points and 4 assists per game throughout his NBA career, having played with the Los Angeles Lakers, Golden State Warriors and Detroit Pistons to name a few.
The highly-anticipated clash is sure to be a high-scoring affair as Jason Cadee, Kevin Lisch, Brad Newley and Cameron Bairstow all ranking inside the top ten in scoring across the first four rounds.
One match-up to watch will be the battle of the former NBA players, as Cameron Bairstow will battle former Los Angeles Lakers forward Josh Powell.
Both players have been significant contributors so far and whoever wins this battle could potentially give their team the edge.
Powell has been averaging 11 points and 5 rebounds for the Kings off the bench while Bairstow has been averaging close to 15 points and 7 rebounds in 22 minutes of action per game.
With the Kings pouring in the points on Illawarra last round and the Bullets stumbling, it’s hard to bet against Sydney winning at home.
While Brisbane will certainly test the strength of the Kings, it would take a well-rounded team effort from the Bullets to come away with the victory at Qudos Bank Arena.
But having won four consecutive games rather convincingly, alongside the addition of Steve Blake, the Kings are my pick to win.
Does Brisbane have what it takes to stop the hot-shooting Kings?
Join The Roar this afternoon at 2:45pm (AEDT) for live score updates and debate in our blog.
Sebastian Quinn
Roar Guru
Ok so that's it from the presser! Thanks everyone for following the live blog and keep it locked on The Roar for all the latest NBL news and views
Sebastian Quinn
Roar Guru
"There's a lot to like about our team but it's still early days." On Kevin Lisch injury: "He'll play this weekend, if it was a finals game tonight he would've played" "That's not the way I want to play, I want all our guys to be healthy but I'm a competitor" "It was good, it's different. There's different rules as far as using your hands and in the post. It's an adjustment for me but I'll pick it up in no time."
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Roar Guru
"The combination we've got from Josh and Alecs has been great for us." "Brad Newley was superb "When he's in the open court and he gets in the attack mode, it's hard to stay with him and he gets his shot off." "Cairns are tough and we played them a few weeks ago and they were in a position to win." "Theyre getting better as the season rolls on We have a tough little home and away battle going on" Andrew Gaze
Sebastian Quinn
Roar Guru
"They run their halfcourt offensive as good as anybody in the competition. "We were reactive and four of the first eight points were in the paint/ "We had a couple of really good looks we just missed. The combination of the two meant it started to get away from us." Andrew Gaze "I had a lot of fun out there. The fans were great. The guys on the team play with a lot of heart and are really tough guys. I couldnt have asked for a better start." "I felt more comfortable as the game went on. "I was nervous out there, playing with new guys and against guys I have never faced before." 'This is a great venue, great and the competition iis what makes it great as well" "We fought back and everyone was into it, the players, the fans, the coaches." Steve Blake
Sebastian Quinn
Roar Guru
"Two NBA players off the bench and I don't know how many Boomers they had but theyre a talented group and should be in for a good season" "He's just another player but he still presents his own challenges. It's interesting how players translate into the NBL." "Torrey continues to affect the games in a lot of different ways." "We ask a lot of him on that end of the floor and he helps us a lot." "What's happened for him over these six games is that he's' doing better offensively and starting to slow down." Andrej Lemanis
Sebastian Quinn
Roar Guru
"it's going to be a building process and we need to stay steady on the rollercoaster." Andrej Lemanis "Still struggling at times as I get the feel of the game back." "Each week is a bit better in some aspects but not so much tonight" "Certainly going to have it's ups and downs but hopefully we get better each week" Cameron Bairstow
Sebastian Quinn
Roar Guru
"At halftime we had 10 turnovers so we contributed to our own demise" "There we times we did look really good offensively." "We are doing the right thing but when it doesnt come off we get a bit hesitant." "It's one of those things, we're going to keep working at it" "We need growth as a team in terms of how we work through those moments. The reality is that it's something we've got to work through the entire season." "I think there was moments. Defence has to be the constant and the offensive will ebb and flow. Our offence can impact our defence at times." "There were times we did start getting momentum our way.. but when we got it back to five, it was the breakdown of trying to get under the screen and the bloke knocks down a three ball." Andrej Lemanis
Sebastian Quinn
Roar Guru
Stay tuned as I'll be in the post-match press conference taking down quotes from the coaches and players Kings have now won 5 in a row after losing their opening game to the Bullets
Sebastian Quinn
Roar Guru
FINAL SCORE KINGS 87-78 BULLETS Newley leads all scorers with 29pts Craig leads the Bullets with 22pts
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Roar Guru
Adam Gibson hits the three but Josh Powell throws it down on the other end to push the lead further. Bullets back down the other end miss the jumper to finish the game
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Roar Guru
Blake knocks down both with 25s remaining in the game
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Petrie pulls another basket back as the Bullets continue to foul the Kings... Steve Blake to the line
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A single MVP chant breaks out as Newley knocks down one of two FT
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Bullets going with the international foul as Petrie hits Brad Newley who's closing in on 30pts
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Roar Guru
Timeout called by Kings who recompose themselves with 43 seconds remaining
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Quick layup to Anthony Petrie who then feeds Te Rangi on the next possession... quick points for Bullets who now trail 82-73
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Roar Guru
out of bounds off the Kings as Gaze screams at his team to watch for back cuts
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Roar Guru
Maric hits the go ahead basket as Kings lead 82-69 with 1 minute remaining! Looks to be the game-winning basket
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Roar Guru
Maric misses the fiirst but nails the second FT
Sebastian Quinn
Roar Guru
Newley has 28 points with under 2min remaining, been great for the Kings