Kings dethroned as Tigers break streak

The Sydney Kings’ hopes of matching the National Basketball League’s record-winning streak were dashed by a fearless Melbourne side 108-99 in a thrilling contest at The Cage tonight.

Seeking their 16th straight league victory, Sydney had every chance to equal the record held by three other clubs, including Melbourne, but couldn’t hang on in a classic top-of-the-table clash.

The game was billed as the match of the season and it didn’t disappoint; brilliant shooting and miserly defending was interspersed with highlights at every turn, punctuated by the ejection of Sydney coach Brian Goorjian in the dying seconds.

Chris Anstey led the way for the home side with 29 points and 18 rebounds, while Dave Thomas proved highly effective with 24 and 12. Sydney again had to rely on CJ Bruton and Jason Smith, who scored 23 and 22 points respectively.

A frenetic opening quarter saw the hosts get the jump on their interstate rivals, opening the match with a barnstorming 12-2 run.

The visitors’ attempts to cut the initial gap proved futile, but, importantly, they managed to stay in touch and the keep the gap to a respectable 37-26.

However, it didn’t take long for the Kings to click into gear as Melbourne stumbled dismally at the start of the second quarter. Industrious guard Bradley Sheridan rounded off the comeback in typical fashion as he levelled the scores with a clutch three-point basket.

Ex-Victorian Smith showed his star quality for the Kings with a 10-point, three-rebound quarter while Melbourne were left to rely on evergreen veteran Daryl McDonald, who responded with eight points of his own.

Fittingly, the teams entered the main break locked at 52-52.

Sydney assumed the lead for the first time in the game with the opening points of the second half, and while Dave Thomas immediately snatched it back with a looping three-point basket, the Kings looked a more potent force as they went on an 8-0 run.

Luke Kendall – who couldn’t make a shot from four attempts in the first half – nailed all three of his perimeter attempts in the third quarter, including one on the buzzer to make it 78-69.

Melbourne dug deep to swing the game back in their favour, and through some classy finishing from Daryl Corletto and big man Anstey, they managed to claw their way back into the contest.

The lead changed back and forth as the clock wound down, but when Sydney centre Ian Crosswhite blew both free throws at 91-92 with just a few minutes left, Melbourne grabbed a decisive ascendency and scurried out to a 98-91 break.

Smith had the chance to tie the game 96-99, but when his shot missed, Thomas sunk a duo of free throws at the other end to seal the game.

Anstey stretched the margin after he downed six straight free throws, the result of three technical fouls. Two came from Smith’s mouthing off and one from coach Goorjian, who was subsequently ejected for his overly animated sideline conduct, much to the delight of the boisterous home crowd.

“I didn’t mention (the streak) before the game,” said Tigers coach Alan Westover after the match.

“To me, it wasn’t an issue, we were just trying to win the game. It was really big for us, we need to win the big games at home.”

“I think it’s not only a good result for ourselves, but also for the league. It shows they’re not invincible,” he said.

Sydney coach Brian Goorjian was surprisingly upbeat despite the disappointing result for both himself and his club.

“I said something like ‘that’s horrible’, but I didn’t swear,” he said of his ejection.

“I had no problem about it. I made my point and the (referee) made his.”

“As a coach, I think I’m no different from anyone else in the league. Everybody’s got that belief in their own team, and I was just fighting for my team.”

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