Kendric Davis made an emphatic statement in the MVP race as the Sydney Kings all-but secured the NBL minor premiership with their 10th straight victory.
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Former coach Mike Wells declared the race for the league’s top individual honour finished after Bryce Cotton dropped 42 against a depleted Breakers outfit on Saturday.
But Davis had other ideas with yet another masterclass as he guided the Kings to a dominant 102-84 win over the Perth Wildcats at Qudos Bank Arena.
After a relatively slow start by his standards, Davis exploded with a 14-point second quarter to completely take the game away from the visitors.
He went on to finish with a double-double courtesy of 30 points (11-17 FG) and 10 assists, achieving the feat in just 32 minutes with Sydney having the game wrapped up early in the fourth.
More importantly, the Kings are now just one win away from landing the minor premiership, something they can accomplish with victory over the last-placed Bullets on Friday.
Kristian Doolittle led the way for Perth with 19 points, with the Wildcats competitive but unable to match it with the Kings once they hit the front, especially without the services of Dylan Windler and Ben Henshall.
Meanwhile, there was a bit of tension post-game as Jo Lual-Acuil Jr and Tim Soares, after going after it all night, then were involved in a handshake snub.
Soares had some words for the Wildcats bench after a dunk earlier in the game, and also made a concerted effort to point at Lual-Acuil Jr after the slam.
Guards outshine KD battle early
All eyes from the jump were on the battle between Davis and Doolittle, especially after John Rillie’s comments on Friday night about a desire for the pair to go one-on-one.
But two lesser known players stepped up for their respective teams in the first quarter as defence went out the window.
Makuach Maluach has relished being a starter with the Kings and exploded for nine points off just four shots, while Dontae Russo-Nance was perfect from the field to lead his team with eight points as they led 29-28 through one.
No charity at the line
If there’s one area that Sydney needs to address before the finals, it’s free throws.
At the half the Kings shot a miserly 6-14 from the charity stripe, compared to Perth nailing all nine attempts.
Sydney went hot from three in the second quarter to open up a 10-point advantage heading into the second half, but it could’ve been a much healthier buffer.
What’s next?
Both teams will next be in action on Friday night with huge implications for the composition of the finals and play-in fixtures.
Sydney will enter its match in Brisbane as unbackable favourites with the Bullets already locked in for the wooden spoon after losing their last 12, with a win for the Kings locking in top spot.
Perth will play host to Adelaide, knowing by tip-off if they need to win or not in order to secure fourth place and a position in the seeding qualifier.
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NBA CHAMP TURNS ‘MONSTER’ FOR HAWKS
The long route through the finals could await a sputtering Melbourne United after a deflating 100-91 loss to a reigning champion Illawarra Hawks that only had pride to play for at John Cain Arena on Sunday.
United, who started the season 9-0, will need a miracle to avoid a fifth placed finish and the stress of a sudden death clash with Tasmania JackJumpers after slumping to their 11th loss in 17 games.
United started with vigor, bounding out to a nine-point lead, but fell away with alarming ease midway through the first period and Illawarra seized control and never relented.
Former NBA star JaVale McGee completely changed the course of the game.
The first man off the bench, McGee added some steel to the Hawks defence and the easy points dried up for United.
A three-time NBA champion, the 38-year-old produced 22 points, 13 rebounds, four assists and two blocks to be the dominant big man on the court.
With McGee’s presence, the court opened up for the Hawks shooters.
Hawks skipper Tyler Harvey (18 points, five rebounds) and import QJ Peterson (13 points, six assists and five rebounds) relished the freedom.
Point guard Will Hickey, last year’s championship series MVP, bobbed up in key moments with 13 points for the Hawks, but picked up a second technical foul late after a running verbal battle with the referees.
Staring at a 18-point three quarter time deficit in the third, United trimmed the deficit to nine in the fourth and there was renewed hope, but three-pointers to Todd Blanchfield and Wani Swaka Lo Buluk put paid to a comeback.
Inefficient shooting hampered United.
Even routine layups were at times a struggle as United went 29/80 (36%) from the field and 12/34 (35%) from three point land.
The Hawks dominated on the boards with 48 rebounds to 38.
Tenacious Tyson
A bright spot for United was import point guard Tyson Walker, who was superb throughout.
With backcourt partner Shea Ili out with a hamstring injury until the playoffs, Walker showed that he is ready and willing to lead United to the postseason.
Walker produced a game-high 30 points, including 10/10 from the free throw line, to go with four assists, three rebounds and two steals.
Veteran forward Milton Doyle tried his utmost late to drag United over the line with 21 points, including three triples, after a slow start.
Walker hit the ignition switch for United early, pouring in a three and a four-point play to have United up 17-8 and it looked like the good times were returning for a home side that had lost two of its past three games, but their joy was fleeting.
McGee flexes muscles
When McGee checked in for the Hawks, the game quickly changed course.
McGee’s defensive presence helped the Hawks go on a 11-0 run to wrestle back the lead in no time and concerningly for United, the quarter unravelled fast as turnovers crept in and routine misses around the basket sapped their confidence.
United’s offence sputtered, though Walker was the exception.
CG concerns
The up and down form of United star Chris Goulding remains a concern.
The veteran shooting guard only managed 12 points on 5/20 shooting in his last two games combined after he was starting to turn the corner with impressive showing against Adelaide and New Zealand.
Even at 37, Goulding remains the key piece if United are to make some noise in the playoffs.
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