Despite the result, which marks the Kings’ first double-digit defeat of NBL23, the reigning champions remain in top spot, while Perth edge Melbourne United by less than one percentage point to secure sixth place.
In a tense opening, Sydney (starting Shaun Bruce for the injured Derrik Walton Jr) led 7-5, as Angus Glover, Kouat Noi and Jackson Makoi kept the Hoops Capital side’s noses in front.
The harbour city side started sluggish in the second, allowing Perth to draw level (21-all) before extending their lead to nine points before timely scores from Justin Simon, Xavier Cooks and Makoi dragged them back to within four.
Any chance of a fightback by Sydney were scuppered by the hosts in the fourth period, as the lead grew to 18. Consecutive scores by Glover, Simon (two) and Dejan Vasiljevic closed the margin to 16 – which quickly became 13 (91-78) when Glover nailed a three pointer.
Another Vasiljevic effort soon after made it 92-84 but free-throws sealed the 12-point win – which secured the Wildcats’ spot in the post-season.
Next up for Chase Buford’s side, who finished the regular season champions with a 19-9 record, is a post-season tilt – starting in the Semi-Final Play Off Series, against an opponent still to be determined, on Wednesday, February 15, from 7.15pm at Qudos Bank Arena.
