Derrick Walton Jr took out Finals MVP in the victory, which helped the Hoops Capital club claim its fifth NBL title. Walton Jr and NZ traded triples to open the game, with the latter sparking nine straight points for the Breakers.
Combine that run, and the fact the Kings committed the first five fouls of the encounter, and the visitors led 12-5 midway through the period – which quickly extended to 18-7.
Despite some inspired play by Angus Glover, the Kings still trailed 22-11 after one quarter.
Behind more strong play by Glover, NBL23 MVP Xavier Cooks and Walton Jr, the Hoops Capital side ended the next period on an 8-2 run, to go into half-time down 36-35.
After the main break, Michigan native Walton Jr started to cook, serving up sharp dimes to both Cooks and Kouat Noi, as the Kings regained the lead for the first time since the opening minutes.
The visitors gained the ascendency in the fourth, scoring 10 of the first 13 points, to lead 66-59 with just over six to play but five straight points from Glover made it a one-possession game (66-64) with 4.29 to play – before Walton Jr evened the ledger with a deep jumper.
Both traded baskets before Walton Jr scored six straight points to seal the eight-point win.
Coach Chase Buford said they started the year well before having a lull.
“We were wondering if we were ever going to find ourselves again or get back where we needed,” he said.
“But these guys just found a way to drag us across the line.”
