Kendric Davis dropped the hammer on Tasmania with a statement performance to lead Sydney to a fourth-straight win.
With Matthew Dellavedova still out from a head knock, Davis took complete control with another dominant display.
Davis dropped a career-high 40 points (14-23 FG) to go with eight assists as the Kings coasted to a 103-94 victory over the JackJumpers in front of 9234 at Qudos Bank Arena.
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Sydney trailed for less than 90 seconds in another comprehensive home victory, leading by 12 points through the first quarter and extending to as much as 23 in the fourth.
Despite the visitors bridging the margin back to 11 inside the final four minutes, the Kings lifted another gear to keep their hopes of a top-two finish alive.
TASSIE’S INJURY WOES
Tasmania came into the contest without star big man Will Magnay, and it took just 52 seconds for their fortunes to take another turn for the worse.
Majok Deng came into the starting five but his night lasted less than a minute after falling awkwardly when going for a lay-up and hitting his head on the floor.
Play was stopped for minutes as medics attended to Deng who was clearly concussed as the whole mood of the building shifted to one of concern.
Deng returned to his feet and was taken for further assessment, but unsurprisingly played no further part.
In a further blow for the JackJumpers, Bryce Hamilton came from the floor with a leg injury and despite returning to the bench in the fourth, he also failed to return.
CRAIG WATCH
Torrey Craig’s highly anticipated debut got off to a hot start.
He checked in a little over four minutes into the contest, taking the defensive assignment of Bryce Hamilton.
His first shot gave Kings fans plenty to cheer about, draining a lovely turnaround jumper in his first NBL outing for over 3200 days.
Craig finished with 12 points, four assists, two blocks and two steals in 25 minutes.
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SOARING ABOVE THE PACK
With Xavier Cooks and Hunter Goodrick both out once again, Tim Soares was called upon to control the paint and he did just that.
Soares was the biggest man on the floor and he used that to his advantage with one of his best outings of the season.
The Brazilian didn’t settle for outside looks, dominating on the inside on his way to 16 points (7-9 FG), eight rebounds and three blocks.
ON THE BRINK
After looking almost certain to qualify for the play-in, Tasmania now finds itself in a precarious position.
The loss relegated the JackJumpers to 12-15 for the season, just two wins ahead of New Zealand who have a game in hand and four in front of Illawarra who have three games up their sleeves.
With Magnay out and Deng expected to sit, their clash with the Hawks at home on Saturday shapes as a must win.
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