Cleveland leads 36ers past Kings in thriller

Adelaide 36ers have swooped home late with a stunning 115-108 victory against Sydney Kings at the Entertainment Centre on Friday night.

In front of the fifth consecutive home crowd record of 9558, Antonius Cleveland sparked a 34-22 final quarter fightback against the NBL23 league leaders.

Cleveland was everywhere, scoring a team-high 23 points to go with seven assists, five rebounds and four steals, to lift the home side to a 13-14 record.

Playing against his old team for the first time, Ian Clark (18 points, three rebounds, two steals) scored the first seven for Adelaide, but the Kings opened up an early 13-7 lead.

Robert Franks (19 points, five rebounds) and Clark both picked up two early fouls and were forced to sit on the bench.

Sydney grew their lead to seven points, before Adelaide went on a 9-2 run and when Daniel Johnson (12 points, six rebounds, five assists) connected on a three-pointer, the game was tied away at 21-21.

Cleveland then sparked another late run as the 36ers connected on six of their first nine shots from beyond the arc and took a 35-29 lead into the first break.

NBL23 MVP finalist Xavier Cooks suited up for the Kings, but looked very relaxed on the bench and was not used by head coach Chase Buford for the entire night.

Kyrin Galloway (nine points, two blocks) yet again had instant spark of the bench, swishing his first two three-pointers, then set the crowd alight with an athletic tip in, but the Kings continued to attack the hoop with great effect.

Sydney centre Tim Soares (24 points, seven rebounds) was the beneficiary, scoring 11 first half points as Derrick Walton Jnr dished nine of his game-high 13 assists in the opening 20 minutes.

The up-tempo contest thrilled the sellout crowd as both sides continued to score the ball at a high rate and scores were locked away at 59-59 at the main interval.

Sydney came out after half time and scored the first eight points, but the home side responded through Clark, who started to get to the rim.

Soares was causing more headaches for the 36ers, but Adelaide fought back from a six-point deficit to tie the game at 74-74 after a Anthony Drmic three-pointer.

Kings sharpshooter DJ Vasiljevic then caught fire late in the third quarter, hitting back-to-back three-pointers, Angus Glover found his way to the basket, and the visitors had a 86-78 lead, but Franks stepped up with a triple of his own to cut Sydney’s lead to 86-81 with 10 minutes to go.

Trailing 88-82, Cleveland sparked an 8-0 36ers run with a huge slam dunk, then Drmic scored three points the hard way and the home crowd were on their feet.

Kouat Noi threw down a thunderous dunk of his own, but Cleveland took over the contest, scoring five consecutive points for a 95-90 lead.

Cleveland again was the main man as the home side surged ahead 102-95, but the Kings went on a 10-2 run to take the lead 105-104 after a Shaun Bruce three-pointer.

The home side responded, Franks put the 36ers in front again and the Clark made a tough basket attacking the hoop for a three-point lead.

Galloway sunk a clutch free throw to put the game out of the defending champions’ reach and Franks finished in style with a triple on the final buzzer.

ADELAIDE 36ERS 115 (Cleveland 23, Franks 19, Clark 18) def SYDNEY KINGS 108 (Soares 24, Vasiljevic 18, Simon 15) at Adelaide Entertainment Centre.

BOX SCORE