The Sydney Kings are into their third grand final in four seasons after knocking over brave but outgunned Cairns Taipans 79-64 at Qudos Bank Arena on Sunday afternoon.
They will face the New Zealand Breakers after the No.2 seeds knocked off the Tasmania JackJumpers 92-77 in their own game three at Spark Arena.
The five-game Grand Final series gets underway on March 3 in Sydney.
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With League MVP Xavier Cooks kept relatively quiet – though still clocking 11 points and 11 rebounds – Derrick Walton Jnr (10 points, nine assists), Tim Soares (three blocks) and Kouat Noi (11 points, 11 rebounds) were among their team’s best.
Yet the load was spread equally among the 10 players used by coach Chase Buford, and the home team will be confident heading into the grand final series.
The Taipans matched the home team in the first quarter and it was clear they didn’t care the Kings were title favourites. The visitors deservedly led by six at the first break.
In game one in Sydney it took a half-time video horror movie and spray by Buford to spark the home team into action.
In this game, however, with star of game two Tahjere McCall less effective for Cairns, Noi and Jordy Hunter landing threes, and Cairns guard Bul Kuol subbed off and playing to the crowd, Sydney ran over Cairns in the second quarter 28-13 to lead by nine at half-time.
McCall became a home crowd favourite when he missed two free-throws and everyone in attendance was awarded a hamburger.
Jackjumpers force Game 3 with Breakers | 01:36
Adam Forde’s unsuccessful coach’s challenge was also popular among home fans.
After Sydney led by four points heading into the last quarter, Shaun Bruce increased that to nine with a booming three-pointer. The crowd were then up as one when Taipans captain Sam Waardenburg fouled offensively. With time ticking down, each play was ridden hard by the home crowd, particularly DJ Vasiljevic’s booming three pointer with three minutes to play that stretched the lead to 14 points.
And from there it was a party.
Taipans point guard Ben Ayre (20 points) was his team’s best while Waardenburg (17 points, 12 rebounds) was again lion-hearted under the basket.
NICE CLUB
Following two physical, feisty and verbal games between the teams in the NBL’s best-of-three semi-finals series – in which Kings coach Chase Buford and forward Tim Soares were fined by the independent game review panel – Koaut Noi’s runaway dunk and stare down of Taipans big man Sam Waardenberg was as nasty as things got in the first quarter.
Indeed Waardenburg laughed.
There were words and barbs late in the second quarter after Bul Kuol fouled Angus Glover though at half-time DJ Vasiljevic said there was nothing personal. “It’s a play-off game,” he said. “We both want to win.”
NOT CROWDED HOUSE
Taipans’ fans – who numbered perhaps upwards of 37 – were among the most vocal in the crowd estimated at 5000.
It was curious why a sudden-death semi-final at the home of the title favourites couldn’t fill more than about half of Qudos Bank Arena – particularly after bumper home crowds in the regular season.
Increased prices for finals tickets, a double-header of NRL trial matches at Belmore Oval and the odd habits of Sydney sports fans are reasons in-part.
It didn’t deter Kings fan Lleyton Hewitt who told the television audience that the noise and atmosphere at Qudos Arena compared to a tennis match in New York.
NBL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES DETAILS
Sydney Kings v NZ Breakers (All times AEDT)
Game 1: Friday March 3, 7:30pm, Qudos Bank Arena
Game 2: Sunday March 5, 4:00pm, Spark Arena
Game 3: Friday March 10, 7:30pm, Qudos Bank Arena
Game 4 (if required): Sunday March 12, 4:00pm, Spark Arena
Game 5 (if required): Wednesday March 15, 7:30pm, Qudos Bank Arena
