Kings challenge awaits in Harbour City

Adelaide 36ers will look for three consecutive wins for the first time in NBL23, but the highflying Sydney Kings await at Qudos Bank Arena on Sunday.

After fighting back from a 19-point second quarter deficit to defeat Cairns Taipans 78-75 on Brett Maher Court on Friday night, the 36ers head to the Harbour City confident, especially after already claiming a 92-88 win in Round 4.

The Kings will be looking to rebound after their 94-88 overtime loss to the Taipans in Cairns last Monday night and have spent the week preparing for their 36ers battle.

THE KEY
Xavier Cooks is a NBL MVP candidate this season and he is the main reason the Kings have been and will continue to be successful.

The NBL22 Grand Final series MVP has gone to a new level in NBL23 and despite missing a few games with an ankle injury, Cooks is back and firing on all cylinders.

He singlehandedly should have beaten the Taipans in Cairns last Monday night. His 25 points and 10 rebounds was steering Sydney to an 18^th straight road win.

But the 203cm power forward fouled out of the game with three minutes to go, giving the Taipans a chance to force overtime, Cairns eventually prevailing 94-88 after the extra period.

Cooks is in MVP form, he is poring in 16.3 points, grabbing 8.3 rebounds and dishing 4.1 assists per night. He is the heart and soul of the Kings game plan and needs to be stopped for the 36ers to win for a second time in Sydney this season.

THE SECRET
Derrick Walton Jnr has been brought in to fill the shoes of Jaylen Adams and is slowly reaching the heights of the NBL22 MVP.

Walton Jnr, who is averaging 14.9 points, 6.3 assists and 4.4 rebounds per night in NBL23, is running the Kings’ offense with great effect so far and he will need to be quelled, most probably by captain Mitch McCarron, if Adelaide are to continue their recent success on the road.

After Walton Jnr, the 36ers can not forget about his understudy Shaun Bruce.

Bruce has been key for the Kings in recent victories, hitting the game-winning three-pointer against Illawarra Hawks, while also making an astute inbounds pass to Kouat Noi for another buzzer beater play against Cairns Taipans.

Kings coach Chase Buford knows he has spark and intensity off the bench with Bruce, who can come in to impact the game in many different ways. He can be up the floor defensively, driving the lanes to score or find open shooters or become an outside threat from the three-point line.

THE FINAL WORD
DJ Vasiljevic has been struggling lately with his shot but don’t expect that to continue for long, the Kings starting shooting guard will be out for revenge after he missed an opportunity late to beat Adelaide in their last meeting at Qudos Bank Arena.

Cooks will be a nightmare at both ends of the floor and import big man Tim Soares is gaining confidence as the season continues. Jordan Hunter will run the lanes hard at the centre spot as the Kings will look to increase the tempo early.

Syndey’s bench has extreme depth, Angus Glover is another spark at Buford’s disposal, while Bruce can run the offense and Noi has been impressive.

DEPTH CHART
Walton Jnr | Bruce | Bayles
Vasiljevic | Glover
Simon | Noi | Makoi
Cooks | Galloway
Soares | Hunter