The Sydney Kings collected a 93-76 win over the second-placed Cairns Taipans at Qantas Credit Union Arena on Thursday night.
Former NBA gun Josh Childress erupted for 27 points, nine rebounds and seven assists while guards Jason Cadee and Ben Madgen added 18 and 17 points respectively to carry the previously struggling Kings to a 4-4 overall record.
A basket from veteran Cameron Tragardh tied the game with three minutes remaining in the third period, but an 8-2 run to close out the quarter saw the Kings take a six-point lead into the final term.
Seven straight Kings’ points to open the fourth from reserve Cadee increased the Sydney advantage before Childress helped close out a last-ditch push from Alex Loughton and star rookie import Scottie Wilbekin.
“We have to protect our home court and win as many games here as possible, and we did a good job tonight,” said Childress in a post-match interview.
“It started on the defensive end- we got stops, we got on the break and we got layups. We put pressure on with our defence and we got the win.”
The Kings dominated the free throw count, getting to the line 28 times to convert 25 points while Cairns managed just four attempts at the stripe all game. Sydney also managed 38 points in the paint compared to 24 from the visitors.
Wilbekin led the Taipans with 18 points and four assists.
Photo: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images.
