He’s been tipped by some to go in the first round of the NBA draft, and Alex Toohey may have moved up a couple of spots after he dominated in the fourth quarter to help the Kings heap more misery on the Breakers.
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The 92-84 result was the home side’s seventh loss on the trot and ruined their return to Spark Arena as Toohey lit it up in the final few minutes to turn a six-point deficit into a crucial win ahead of next week’s Christmas night showdown with the Hawks.
The 20-year-old finished with 21 points and 11 rebounds, with nine of his points coming in the final period as the Kings roared home to silence the home crowd with a 25-15 fourth quarter.
Kouat Noi led the scoring for the visitors with 26 points including 3-5 from deep, while former MVP Jaylen Adams added 17 and saved his best work for the final few minutes as the Kings picked up their 11th win of the season despite trailing by as many as nine points in the third term.
DAVID AND GOLIATH
This was a heartbreaking result for the Breakers who have now lost seven on the bounce despite being the better side for most of the contest.
The diminutive Parker Jackson-Cartwright was brilliant for the hosts, scoring 25 points – including 18 in the first half – while man mountain Tacko Fall used all of his 229cm to terrorise the Kings in the paint.
Fall had 15 points and nine rebounds but the service to the big man wasn’t good enough at times with a number of passes resulting in turnovers.
Harrell drops double-double in return | 00:57
Friday’s result had nothing to do with Jackson-Cartwright who hit an incredible buzzer-beating step-back three to end the first half, but he just didn’t get enough support from his teammates who missed some wide open shots.
“I just tried to get to that spot and rise up. Good luck,” he said as he walked off the court at the main break.
KARIM LIVING THE TEEN DREAM
Karim Lopez showed why there’s so much hype around him, but the 17-year-old sensation sent a massive scare through Spark Arena when he was helped off the court with a left ankle injury in the fourth quarter.
The Breakers young gun rolled his left ankle while getting back in defence but was able to return to the court shortly after.
The injury threatened to overshadow his career-best night as he dropped 18 points to go with four rebounds and three assists as he held up physically against fully grown men who tried to bully him.
“He’s the most mature kid I’ve ever been around,” Jackson-Cartwright said.
“He’s 17, he comes in everyday, works hard and he loves to compete.”
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