IN WHAT will be one of the tightest finishes in National Basketball League (NBL) history, the state of play could come down to tonight’s encounter between the Sydney Kings and the Brisbane Bullets at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre.

Although it may look like a dead rubber on paper, this game still remains crucial in determining what the ladder looks like come season’s end. The Kings enter the game at the top of the ladder, but only leading the Adelaide 36ers by a slim margin, so getting a win tonight will be integral to maintaining their position at the head of the table.

However, the Bullets will be eager to spoil the fun, and have the perfect opportunity to finish their season on a high and given the chance to throw a spanner in the works for Sydney’s minor championship hopes, will leave nothing in the tank.

Brisbane Bullets vs. Sydney Kings

Brisbane Entertainment Centre
Friday, February 20 @ 7:30pm

The Bullets will finish at the bottom of the ladder for NBL26, having not been able to live up to the expectations set coming into the season. Despite having some talented imports, it has been a tumultuous campaign for Brisbane, and the team will be eager to retool and go again next season.

However, they have a strong chance to still finish their campaign on a high at home tonight, and will be thrilled with the opportunity to potentially play disruptor to the championship favourites. If they can cause a boilover tonight, the Bullets will still leave their mark on the postseason.

Although their season as a whole has been disappointing, the Bullets still found a positive in the form of big man Jacob Holt. The Canadian has been a shining light in a tough back half of the fixture for Brisbane, and will be eager to close out a promising campaign strong, albeit against tough opposition in the frontcourt tonight.

The Kings have hit their straps at the right time of the season, jumping up to first spot in the standings following an insane stretch of form which has seen the team from the Harbour City win 10 games in a row to easily be the most dangerous team in the competition heading into the postseason.

Tonight presents an opportunity to consolidate top spot on the ladder with a win over the cellar-dwelling Bullets, but these matches are often considered ‘danger games’ when the stakes are this high. Coming up against a side with nothing to lose, the Kings will still need to be at their best.

The MVP race has been one of much discussion throughout the season, with the two-horse race between Kendric Davis and Bryce Cotton. The latter is set to rest for his Adelaide 36ers‘ clash against the Perth Wildcats tonight, and although the votes are counted already, it would be the perfect time for Davis to announce himself as the premier player of the upcoming finals series.