Lisch leads Kings to overtime win
Two-time MVP Kevin Lisch has nailed two clutch three-point shots in overtime to help lift the Sydney Kings to a nail-biting 98-90 NBL home win over the Cairns Taipans.
Scores were tied at 84-all at the end of regulation before Lisch (24 points) answered in crunch time, as the Kings claimed their second win to move off the bottom of the ladder.
American guard Jerome Randle tallied 22 points, while former NBA star Andrew Bogut added several crucial rebounds in the extra period to finish with eight points, 10 rebounds, six assists and three blocks.
Daniel Kickert was also instrumental with 19 points for Sydney.
Cairns import Melo Trimble was the best player on the floor, notching 30 points, eight assists and three steals, while teammate DJ Newbill had 18 points, 10 rebounds and four steals.
After starting the season with back to back losses to the Adelaide 36ers, Sydney boosted their record to 2-2 with a second successive win, while the Taipans are now alone at the bottom of the ladder with one win from four games.
On a day the club celebrated its 30th anniversary season, the Kings had to fight to the very end to mark the occasion with a win.
Seventeen former players and original Kings coach Bob Turner were on hand for a half-time ceremony which included a five-minute video highlights package on the venue’s big screens.
Highlighting the closeness were the 10 lead changes and three times scores were level in the first half alone.
The Kings next host Illawarra on Friday and Cairns are at home to Melbourne United on Saturday.
Meanwehile, a breakout performance from Finn Delany has led the New Zealand Breakers to a 114-94 NBL victory over the Adelaide 36ers.
Yesterday’s game was the Breakers’ first home win of the season.
Unheralded Kiwi forward Delany came off the bench to score a career-high 27 points, helping his team overcome a 14-point deficit midway through the opening quarter.
Usually a role player in the Breaker’s rotation, Delany was irresistible when he drove to the basket, bringing the crowd to life at Spark Arena.
The Breakers had suffered heavy losses to Brisbane and Sydney in their two previous home games in Auckland.
Centre Shawn Long came alive in the second half to finish with 14 points, nine rebounds and three blocks.
NBL SCORES: Kings 98 Taipans 90; 36ers 94 Breakers 114; Bullets 78 Hawks 86; Wildcats 101 United 96; 36ers 91 Taipans 83; Wildcats 96 Bullets 100.