In yet another record-breaking game in NBL history, the top-seeded Sydney Kings survived a valiant fight from the Illawarra Hawks on Sunday, 92-87.
LaMelo Ball had an off-night and tallied just three points through the first half but exploded for a big third quarter, helping the Hawks rally and take a fourth-quarter lead at one point.
The Hawks had an uncharacteristically fast start in the contest, racing out to a lead that led to a 28-24 lead by the end of the quarter break. The Kings eventually fought back to take a lead by halftime, 51-45.
Ball struggled in the opening half as he was saddled with foul trouble after picking up his third foul just past the midway point of the second quarter. At the half, Ball had just three points.
However, the Next Star took off in the third period, setting up teammates and scoring over the court to help keep the bottom-seeded Hawks in the contest to eventually give the Hawks a lead that peaked at 65-61. But the Kings responded with a 9-0 run to close the period and lead 70-65 into the final period.
Illawarra stayed feisty throughout the fourth, largely without Ball in the early stages. The Hawks eventually tied the game at 79-79 but the Kings used a 10-2 run to open up the lead late and cruise to a win. Ball would foul out late in the game before the Hawks knocked in a handful of three-pointers to make the score more respectable.
Ball finished with 16 points on 7-of-19 field goal shooting and 1-of-5 shooting from deep while also finished with eight rebounds and six assists. Todd Blanchfield had 22 points and six rebounds to lead the Hawks.
Jae’Sean Tate had 24 points and Casper Ware chipped in 21 for the Kings. Tate had six rebounds and Ware six assists.
Illawarra falls to 2-8 with the loss. Sydney is now 9-1.
