The Sydney Kings are looking to snap a losing streak and get back up towards the pointy end of the standings when they host the New Zealand Breakers. Join The Roar from 7:30pm (AEDT) for all the action.
The Kings have lost their last four in a row, slipping down to fourth place after leading the league for a big chunk of the season.
The Breakers are now the only side in the NBL not to have beaten the Kings this campaign, Sydney having walked over New Zealand back in Round 3 with a defensive masterclass and a 14-point win.
Speaking of defensive masterclasses, the Breakers barely faltered when they let in just 57 points against the Wildcats in their last game.
“To have a performance like that, a lot of it was effort and intent and having that real desire to stick to the game plan, work hard on every single play and then finish the possession with the boards,” said Breakers coach Paul Henare.
It was a much-needed win for the Breakers, who come into this one with just two wins from their last seven games and in dire need of a breakout performance to get them back into the finals equation.
The Kings have the equal most losses in the league at the moment, with ten, but have also played the most games, allowing them to remain in the top four for the time being.
“This league is extremely close and any time you have let-offs teams are going to penalise you,” Kings star Kevin Lisch said.
“Down the stretch we’ve been having some issues, especially these last four games, but I think this is a group that’s not going to just lay down.”
Prediction
If the Breakers can pull out another big defensive performance then they’ll be very, very hard to beat, but the Kings should get the win at home.
Kings to win by 5.
Sean
Guest
Andrew may have been "the best player ever in the NBL". in his time? - but it's clear his coaching skills and decision making are not up to bringing the Kings a championship in 2017 even though he has the players. Clearly no team work- clearly no chemistry. why = he does not let his best lineup stay in the floor - way too much substitution- can't see that Josh should be starting- brings so many different dimensions.
Connor Bennett
Editor
Connor Bennett
Editor
Connor Bennett
Editor
FULLTIME The Kings hold on in a final quarter thriller over the Breakers!! They didn't make it easy for themselves but they break the four-game losing streak and consolidate their spot in the top four. New Zealand cop another loss on the road and slip further away from the title picture. The Kings did the best they could to bring the visitors back into the game in every quarter, but they were bale to hold on in the dying minutes against a Breakers side that shot themselves in the foot with a litany of errors and mistakes when it counted. Kings – 85 Breakers – 80
Connor Bennett
Editor
Q4' Kings to the free throw line after the intentional foul, off the back of that travel foul. Lisch hits two from two and takes the lead out to five. The Breakers are surely done now with five seconds left. Kings – 85 Breakers – 80
Connor Bennett
Editor
Q4' TRAVEL AGAINST THE BREAKERS!!! Can you believe it!! With 10 seconds on the clock and two points in it, the Breakers have been pinned for the most basic error in the sport!! Kings – 83 Breakers – 80
Connor Bennett
Editor
Q4' Kings with the ball in from the sideline... and they're predictably fouled once again and will go to the line for the free throws with time really running out. Just 12 seconds on the clock. Cadee misses the first free throw!! He does get the second though. Kings – 83 Breakers – 80
Connor Bennett
Editor
Q4' Another timeout now. Kings – 82 Breakers – 80
Connor Bennett
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Q4' FOULED ON THE THREE!! The Breakers handed a life line here with 14 seconds on the clock and they'll get three shots from the free throw line. Rob Low hits the first... but misses the second!! He nails the third and we have a two point game again. Kings – 82 Breakers – 80
Connor Bennett
Editor
Q4' And here come the intentional fouls. The Kings take to the line through Kevin Lisch and he makes two from two with ease to take the lead beyond one shot. Kings – 82 Breakers – 78
Connor Bennett
Editor
Q4' Mitchell fouled for the Breakers and that's a massive loss for New Zealand!! Mitchell was under a lot of pressure from Newley on the line and he's called up for taking too long to get the ball in bounds. Such a big mistake to make in such a high pressure situation. Kings – 80 Breakers – 78
Connor Bennett
Editor
Q4' Foul from the throw in by the looks of it... Newley was over the line I believe and pinned for delaying the game. Kings – 80 Breakers – 78
Connor Bennett
Editor
Q4' Two points in it with 28 seconds left on the clock. The Breakers have the pill in hand and one possession to stay in this fight before the intentional fouls will start coming out. Kings – 80 Breakers – 78
Connor Bennett
Editor
Q4' Rob Loe driving in on Powell who tries to hold his line but he gives away the foul in the end as Loe pushes through into the bucket. No shot from it and the Breakers will take possession with a two-point gap and a timeout. Kings – 80 Breakers – 78
Connor Bennett
Editor
Q4' Brad Newley at the line here... but he misses the first one!! Makes the second to take the lead out to two. Neither side very comfortable here with plenty going on. Kings – 80 Breakers – 78
Connor Bennett
Editor
Q4' Another foul against the Breakers!! Penney is pinned for grabbing and the Breakers coach is ropable about that decision!! The Kings will again go to the line for two. Kings – 79 Breakers – 78
Connor Bennett
Editor
Q4' Delany gives away a foul for the Breakers!! The Kings gifted a pair of free throws. Cadee sinks the first... and makes the second under pressure!! Kings – 79 Breakers – 78
Connor Bennett
Editor
Q4' Into the final minute now!! What a game we have on out hands!! Kings – 77 Breakers – 78
Connor Bennett
Editor
Q4' Kings on the fastbreak!! Powell is up under the bucket... but the Breakers defence come flying through in desperation and literally just jump all over him, giving away one of the most obvious fouls you're likely to see. Big pressure on Powell here for the free throw... But he sinks two from two!! Kings – 77 Breakers – 78
Connor Bennett
Editor
Q4' But Newley gives away the foul this time at the other end of the court. Ili takes the to the line for the Breakers, taking his time to set himself through a chorus of boos. Misses the first one!! But gets the second. Kings – 75 Breakers – 78