Winning Kings wary of Wildcats
BASKETBALL: Perth are the league leaders but the Sydney Kings possess the best record against the NBL’s benchmark franchise over the last decade.
After losing 25 of their previous 28 games against the Wildcats, the Kings have won two straight versus the men from the west.
As a result, the Kings are the only team with an active winning record against Perth heading into tonight’s blockbuster in Sydney.
In their last match-up in round 15 last season, the Kings defeated the Wildcats by 28.
That win came two days after Sydney beat the Wildcats 84-77 at RAC Arena to snap a 15-game losing stretch in Perth.
It’s also significant to note that the last time the Kings played Perth, Andrew Gaze’s men were last on the ladder at 2-9. Fast forward a year and Sydney are third with a 5-4 record. Kings swingman Brad Newley said Sydney could take confidence from statistics but they remain wary of the Wildcats.
“They’ve changed their personnel with a few new players in Mitch Norton and Nick Kay who have had fantastic seasons,” Newley said. “You’ve also got Tarrico White, so they have a few more options that they didn’t have last year.
“But we are also confident in our ability. We’ve been training well and we are just excited to have a crack at them because they are on the top.”
Newley revealed Sydney are also riding high after their thrilling two-point loss to defending champions Melbourne United.
“The fact we kept with the champs for that long is good,” he said. – Matt Logue