IT IS the match that all NBL fans have been waiting for over the past couple of weeks, with Adelaide 36ers taking on Sydney Kings in the City of Churches tonight. The 36ers have won 10 of their past 11 games in dominant fashion

Last time these two sides met was only last month when the Kings snapped the 36ers’ seven-game losing streak with a 97-93 victory at AIS Arena in Canberra. On that day, the contested went to overtime as the Kings forced their way back from a 13-point half-time deficit thanks to a 23-9 third term and eventually won 12-8 in overtime. It marked their second victory over the 36ers this season, and promises to be a beauty.

Adelaide 36ers vs. Sydney Kings

Adelaide Entertainment Centre
Friday, January 2 @ 7:30pm

Sydney Kings hold the 2-0 record over the 36ers this season despite Adelaide only losing four games for the entire year. The Kings hold a 13-7 record, but were a 7-7 in the mid-table prior to their red-hot recent run. Currently in fourth on the ladder, Sydney will look to keep in touch with the top three sides, though a home victory to Adelaide will make it near impossible for a side to knock the 36ers off from top spot.

The Kings’ other victory did come at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre, but that was way back in Round 4 on October 11, winning all four quarters en route to a commanding 103-79 triumph. Expect this contest to be far more like the most recent four-point outing, and Adelaide will be as prepared as ever for the Kings.

Perhaps the most watch battle within the war will be the two biggest MVP contenders going head-to-head in Bryce Cotton and Kendric Davis. Cotton has put up 26.3 points, 7.8 assists and 3.5 rebounds this season for his new club, while Davis has managed 23.1 points, 5.7 assists and 4.1 rebounds. Davis has certainly been able to team up well with former MVP Xavier Cooks, who though his numbers haven’t been as dominant, is still averaging 14.1 points, 7.0 rebounds and 3.1 assists.

The wily veteran who sets up the Kings’ offence is Matthew Dellavedova, dishing off 4.8 assists to go with 8.2 points and 3.3 rebounds, playing a key role last time the sides met. He will look to find both Davis and Cooks outside and inside the arc in space, while also having big man Tim Soares (10.8 points, 6.2 rebounds) as an option there too.

For the 36ers, Cotton’s fellow long-range shooter Dejan Vasiljevic has the potential to standup in the rare occurrence the former Wildcat isn’t having a night out. He has managed 11.1 points and 2.2 rebounds this season. Big man duo Isaac Humphries (14.9 points, 5.3 rebounds) and Zylan Cheatham (11.7 points, 10.0 rebounds and 4.0 assists) are also huge headaches for Sydney coach Brian Goorjian.

It promises to be an absolute cracking contest that goes down to the wire and is likely to be a nail-biter in the dying moments. Both sides are in brilliant form, and there was not much to separate them last time. Back at home and in form that is far better than their Round 4 encounter, expect the 36ers to break Sydney’s winning streak this time by no more than four points themselves.