Source :- PERTH NOW NEWS
The Sydney Kings have returned to the NBL summit after overcoming an extremely sluggish start and surviving a late rally from South East Melbourne Phoenix to prevail 110-99.
Stars Kendric Davis (28 points, nine assists) and Xavier Cooks (15 points, 14 rebounds) lifted in the second-half as the Kings (8-3) climbed to the top of the ladder on percentage over Tasmania JackJumpers.
In the Kings’ first home game since October 17, the partisan crowd at Afterpay Arena was left stunned after the Phoenix jumped out to a 30-9 lead midway through the first quarter.
But the defending champions ramped up their trademark defence before Davis and Cooks took control, while Torrey Craig finished with 23 points.
They had to withstand a comeback from the Phoenix, who whittled down a 17-point deficit in the third quarter to get within 93-89 midway through the last period.
Nathan Sobey had a game-high 33 points for the Phoenix (4-7), who are mired near the bottom after tapering off from beyond the arc having hit 8 of 15 in a blistering first quarter.
It was a disappointment for Angus Glover in his 200th NBL game against his former side, where he won two championships.
The Kings received a pre-game boost when veteran guard Matthew Dellavedova passed a fitness test and returned from a calf injury that had sidelined him since round 4.
After a brutal four-game road trip in eight days was followed by a nine-day breather, the Kings returned to the court in scratchy fashion.
A pumped-up Phoenix’s fast tempo caused problems and a flurry of shots from deep powered them to an astonishing 21-2 lead.
A layup from Cooks finally ended the Phoenix’s 19-0 run, as Dellavedova helped settle his team with a three-pointer and composed playmaking off the bench.
With the Phoenix finally cooling off, the Kings got within 38-28 at the first break and their momentum continued in a dominant second quarter to turn the game on its head.
Makuach Maluach had the Kings fans in the palm of his hands after a monster block denied Dash Daniels at the rim before throwing down a big two-handed dunk at the other end.
Davis and Cooks played with far more energy after the long break, combining for 19 points in the third quarter as the Kings ran rampant.
The Phoenix bravely fought back in the last quarter, with Sobey rediscovering his hot hand, but the Kings had all the answers.
