Stopping Adams key in huge Kings battle

Sydney Kings will be out to rebound on Sunday afternoon when the reigning champions host Adelaide 36ers at Qudos Bank Arena.

The Kings lost their first match of their NBL24 campaign 80-72 to Tasmania JackJumpers on Friday night in Hobart but return to the Harbour City for their season opener on home court.

NBL22 MVP Jaylen Adams will be back ‘home’ for the first time since leading the Kings to the first of their back-to-back championship wins and will run into an Adelaide side desperate to open their NBL24 account after an 82-75 loss to Perth Wildcats at RAC Arena on Friday night.

The 36ers showed fighting qualities against their arch-rivals, fighting back from a 17-point deficit to take the elad during the third quarter, and will be eager to record a first victory of the NBL24 campaign.

THE KEY
Sydney landed the first big punch during the off-season when the two-time defending champions welcomed back NBL22 MVP Jaylen Adams to the Harbour City.

Adams returns to run the new-look Kings starting five after averaging 20.8 points, 5. Assists and 5.2 rebounds per night as he led Sydney to the NBL22 championship.

The 183cm point guard did everything he could in the loss to Tasmania, scoring 21 points, dishing four assists and collecting three steals and has come back into the league with a similar effect as the Kings go into Sunday’s showdown with the 36ers with a 1-1 record.

Shutting down Adams will be a key for Adelaide, and coach CJ Bruton has several options at his disposal. Sunday Dech will more than likely get the first chance to quell Adams’ influence, but then so to might Mitch McCarron or even Alex Starling.

Adams is a world class talent and even though the Kings look to have gamebreakers right across their roster, the 27-year-old is the man the 36ers must stop to come out on top.

THE SECRET
Sydney has a new coach in Mahmoud Abdelfattah and the former NBA assistant coach has a brand new starting five for the NBL24 campaign.

The Kings added former Chicago Bull Denzel Valentine to be Adams’ backcourt running mate, while Jonah Bolden is back on court after a two-year retirement.

Sydney lured former Cairns Taipans power forward DJ Hogg to the Harbour City, but he won’t suit on Sunday due to a should er injury.

NBL Next Star Alex Toohey has already shown glimpses he is going to be one of the players to watch this season and beyond.

Adelaide will face a new-look team and coaching style and the Kings will look to rebound and run the ball down the floor at a quick pace. Transition basketball on both sides of the ball is going to be key in this match up.

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DEPTH CHART
PG: Adams / Bruce / Rentoy
SG: Valentine / Glover
SF: Galloway / Maluach
PF: Toohey / Noi / Gattorna / Hogg (inj)
C: Hunter / Bolden / Timmins

THE FINAL WORD
This is a huge game for the 36ers. Adelaide is going into Qudos Bank Arena where the Kings will unveil the championship banner in front of a sold out home crowd.

Adelaide showed in the second half against the Wildcats that playing in a hostile environment holds no fear for the side and the group would take a lot of confidence into Sunday’s match.

How both sides back up from Friday night defeats will be crucial. The 36ers showed big improvement in key areas against Perth, especially on the offensive rebounding and limiting turnovers.

But Adelaide needs to play four quarters of basketball like the side did in the second half in The Jungle, the effort shown to fightback from a 17-point deficit is what is required from the opening tip.

Both sides are down on playing personnel and this league is a war of attrition, the team who is switched on from the start will go home with the smiles on their faces.