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Kings and Hawks meet in third NSW derby of NBL season

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The third NSW derby of the NBL season takes place tonight with Wollongong Hawks looking to secure a season series win over Sydney Kings

The third NSW derby of the NBL season takes place tonight with Wollongong Hawks looking to secure a season series win over Sydney Kings

 

Sydney Kings and Wollongong Hawks face off in the third New South Wales derby of the NBL season tonight at Qantas Credit Union Arena. The Hawks have won both derbies so far this season, and can wrap up the season series with another win tonight.

Both sides go into the game in good form. The Kings have won five of their past six games and are currently the hottest team in the competition, while the Hawks made it two in a row by beating Townsville last night.

The Kings have significantly improved their points per game figure during their run of wins. Over the past month they have been averaging 97 points per game, and if they can maintain this pace they can seriously contend for third spot on the ladder. They are also showing the kind of fight and desire that is required at this stage of the season, as demonstrated in a gutsy win over the Breakers last week.

In yesterday’s preview of the game against Townsville we said that the Hawks were not so reliant on Rotnei Clarke, with players like Kevin Tiggs stepping up with improved figures. However, Clarke showed last night that his level has not dropped and if those around him maintain their form then the Hawks can have a strong finish to the season, and a finals spot my still yet be achievable.

 

Saturday 15th February, Qantas Credit Union Arena Haymarket 19:30

Sydney Kings v Wollongong Hawks

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Australia Day NBL action for basketball fans

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Sydney Kings and Wollongong Hawks are both in NBL action on Australia Day

Sydney Kings and Wollongong Hawks are both in NBL action on Australia Day

 

 

Basketball fans looking for an Australia Day sporting fix are in luck with both Sydney Kings and Wollongong Hawks in action in the NBL. At the newly renamed Sydney Entertainment Centre – now known as the Qantas Credit Union Arena – Sydney Kings host second placed Adelaide 36’ers. Later in the day Wollongong Hawks will look to bounce back after two successive defeats when they face Melbourne Tigers.

The Kings scored an upset win the last time they faced Adelaide, a game which was the first in their current winning run of three games. They have scored a minimum of 90 points in each of those wins, whereas in their previous six games they were averaging in the mid-60’s.

The match between the Hawks and Tigers is being labelled as a shootout between Hawks superstar Rotnei Clarke and the NBL’s leading point scorer, Tiger’s Chris Goulding. The Hawks have been involved in plenty of late drama in recent games, including the last time they played Melbourne in Wollongong when the Tigers stole a win in double overtime.

Just a week ago we discussed how the Hawks could find a way of sneaking into the finals. However, two defeats since have put a huge dent in their hopes. A win on Sunday is an absolute must if they are to remain in contention. Fans heading to WIN Entertainment Centre are encouraged to stay in town after the game for the Wollongong Australia Day fireworks at 9pm.

 

Sunday 26th January, Qantas Credit Union Arena Haymarket 14:00

Sydney Kings v Adelaide 36’ers

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Sunday 26th January, WIN Entertainment Centre Wollongong 17:30

Wollongong Hawks v Melbourne Tigers

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Kings and Hawks look to continue NBL momentum

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Sydney Kings and Wollongong Hawks are reaching out to the NBL finals, both sides are in action with home games on Sunday

Sydney Kings and Wollongong Hawks are reaching out to the NBL finals, both sides are in action with home games on Sunday

 

What a difference a couple of weeks have made for NBL sides Sydney Kings and Wollongong Hawks. Both sides had been struggling with form before recording back to back wins in their last two games to bounce back into top four contention. Both are in action on Sunday with home games, and both will be looking to continue their momentum towards the finals.

After suffering four straight losses Sydney Kings recorded a second win in a row against Cairns on Friday night. They have climbed back into the top four, and now face the team directly above them in third place – Melbourne Tigers.

The turnaround in results has coincided with their star players coming into form, and the combinations between them beginning to pay off. Sam Young notched 31 points against the Taipans to be the top point scorer for the second game in a row. AJ Ogilvy has also shaken off a quiet patch to come into season best form.

Fans who get to Sydney Entertainment Centre early can catch the Wheelchair National League game between the Kings and Hawks. With the run to the finals well under way the Kings need to maintain their good run to keep those just behind them at bay.

One of those challenging will be Wollongong Hawks who have also won two in a row, and in fact have won five of their last eight games. Having relied on the extraordinary form of Rotnei Clarke for most of this season, Kevin Tiggs has been the man who has stepped up to make the difference recently. He managed 20 points from the bench in the win over Cairns, and if he can repeat the heroics in the return match then the Hawks will be well placed to win their third straight match.

The Hawks showed plenty of fight in last week’s match with the Taipans by coming up with a four point win have been two points down with 40 seconds on the clock. Cairns have struggled without leading point scorer Cam Tragardh recently and need to raise their game significantly if they are to take the points on Sunday.

Home form will be key to the Hawks’ chances of making the finals – eight of their thirteen remaining games are at home. The Hawks are looking to improve game day attendance figures, and this Sunday is a Family Fun Day with a free kids ticket issued with each adult ticket purchased.

 

Sunday 19th January, Sydney Entertainment Centre Haymarket 14:00

Sydney Kings v Melbourne Tigers

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Sunday 19th January, WIN Entertainment Centre Wollongong 14:00

Wollongong Hawks v Cairns Taipans

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Battle on for Sydney Kings as NBL finals race heats up

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Sam Young and his Sydney Kings team mates take on fellow play off hopefuls Cairns Taipans on Friday night

Sam Young and his Sydney Kings team mates take on fellow play off hopefuls Cairns Taipans on Friday night

 

As the battle for a spot in the NBL finals heats up, fourth placed Sydney Kings host Cairns Taipans on Friday night at the Sydney Entertainment Centre. The Queenslanders are just one place below the Kings and are looking to snatch that final spot in the play-offs.

The Kings have now suffered three losses in a row and some changes to their lineup may well be on the cards. Cody Ellis could make his debut against the Taipans, a final decision will be left until game day.

As we said in our preview of their last match, the Kings are still waiting for their big players to form effective partnerships. In the loss to the Breakers there were at least signs that in attack things are beginning to come together, with  AJ Ogilvy showing that he can find a way to deal with double teaming. However, it was a shockingly high turnover count that cost them in the end, and is something that needs to be addressed immediately.

Cairns are certainly a team that should not be underestimated, having now won three of their last four games. Their most recent win was arguably the most impressive, handing Perth only their second loss of the season on New Years Eve. The win came at a cost however, with Cam Tragardh suffering an ankle injury and he has been ruled out of the Kings game.

 

Friday 3rd January, Sydney Entertainment Centre Haymarket 19:30

Sydney Kings v Cairns Taipans

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Sydney Kings look to bounce back after derby losses

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Sydney Kings will look to bounce back to farm against New Zealand Breakers

Sydney Kings will look to bounce back to farm against New Zealand Breakers

 

Sydney Kings return to action in the NBL on Sunday afternoon with a home match against reigning champions New Zealand Breakers. The Kings and their fans will have spent the Christmas break reflecting on back to back losses against local rivals Wollongong Hawks, and will be looking for an immediate response to get their season back on track.

There will be several key battles around the court, potentially the most intriguing will be between Sam Young and Mika Vukona. Vukona can nullify the best players in the competition and is the cornerstone of the Breakers’ defence.

The Kings downturn in form has coincided with the arrival of Young, and it is clear that the team has not yet adjusted to the integration of their star import. All of their key stats are lower than before Young was introduced to the side, although you suspect it is only a matter of time before things turn in the right direction.

Another key factor in the King’s dip has been the form of AJ Ogilvy. He and his teammates need to find a way of working around the double teaming tactic that has been deployed recently almost every time Ogilvy receives the ball. The Breakers are sure to employ this tactic on Sunday, but need to be careful not to have any player fouled out as a result.

The Breakers have suffered a blow in the build up to this encounter with Alex Pledger ruled out after rolling his ankle in training. With their title defence already looking fragile thanks to a 4-9 win loss record, the Kings will sense a great opportunity to get their own challenge back on track at the Kingdome on Sunday.

 

Sunday 29th December, Sydney Entertainment Centre Haymarket 14:00

Sydney Kings v New Zealand Breakers

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Kings and Hawks continue NBL rivaly in second NSW derby

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Sydney Kings face Wollongong Hawks in the NBA

Sydney Kings face Wollongong Hawks in the NBA

 

For the second time in seven days NBL sides Sydney Kings and Wollongong Hawks face off in a NSW derby. With Perth and Adelaide pulling clear at the top of the ladder Sydney are looking to cement their status as best of the rest, while the Hawks need to back up last week’s upset win in Wollongong if they are to keep dreaming of the finals.

Saturday night’s game at the Kingdome is the first of three consecutive home games for the Kings. However, based on their performance against the Hawks last weekend, they need to address basic errors in their game such as turnovers if they have serious sights set on the title.

The Kings have perhaps underestimated the intensity with which the Hawks view their local rivalry. You could argue that Sydney are looking at the bigger picture in the NBL, but they certainly need to lift their game this time around if they are to avoid a second shock loss.

The Kings have certainly been sounding bullish in the media this week with plenty of mentions about getting revenge, and coach Shane Heal and captain Ben Madgen have both been very vocal with their disappointment surrounding the loss in Wollongong. Sydney will be looking to get more from their star recruit Sam Young in what will be his first game in front of home fans at the Kingdome. It is clear he has not yet fully integrated into the Kings’ system, and Heal has said it will take time but that he is not worried by Young’s slow start.

Rotnei Clarke was again the Hawks’ star man last week notching 27 points. He picked up a minor knock towards end of the match but expects to be fully fit come Saturday. The Hawks are fully expecting big performances from the likes of Madgen, Young and AJ Ogilvy after they were kept quiet last weekend in Wollongong.

 

Saturday 14th December, Sydney Entertainment Centre 19:30

Sydney Kings v Wollongong Hawks

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