Kings sweep Wildcats, advance to NBL grand final
The Sydney Kings advanced to their ninth NBL grand final with a 2-0 semi-final series win over the Perth Wildcats, 89-75.
The regular season champions and championship favorites implemented defensive moves to win 29-16 in the fourth quarter and 46-29 in the second half in the second game of the play-off series played at Perth RAC Arena on Saturday night.
Kings’ Kendric Davis drives to the basket against the Wildcats.Credit: Getty Images
Superstar Kendric Davis scored 27 points for the Kings, while Makuach Maluach came off the bench and scored the best 23 points of his career.
“I’m really proud of our kids,” Sydney co-captain Xavier Cooks said.
“It wasn’t the most beautiful game and it got difficult.
“But when the going got tough, the kids really came together.”
Ben Henshall scored 20 points for the Wildcats, including five three-pointers, but cramps hampered him in the second half, which hurt the home team. Dylan Windler injured his left foot in the final seconds of Game 1 in Sydney.
Kristian Doolittle scored 15 points but failed to shoot 3/15 from the field, while Perth shot just 9/37 after halftime.
Torrey Craig was active early and Sydney took a 15-6 lead before the remainder of the opening period was played on the Wildcats’ terms.
