The Perth Wildcats eased past the Sydney Kings for another impressive win on Sunday in the first showdown between NBA recruits James Ennis and Sam Young.
Ennis, the NBL‘s leading MVP candidate after 7 rounds, led the Wildcats to a huge 98-55 win at Perth Arena, scoring a game-high 18 points in just 18 minutes of action.
Young, making his NBL debut after four seasons in the NBA, was less impressive, scoring 14 points on 4-12 shooting.
Ennis provided his usual high flying antics in the form of a number of acrobatic transition finishes while Young struggled adapting to a new league, forcing attempts and looking a little out of sorts.
The Wildcats shot 55% from the field and played an unselfish game, handing out 29 assists to Sydney’s six- three of which came in the final few minutes.
“The guys bounced back strongly and played good team basketball. We had 29 assists, which is a season-high for us, and we had 39 made baskets so I was pretty pleased with that,” Wildcats coach Trevor Gleeson said.
“Defensively the intent was there, you always question that playing two games in three days, but the guys played outstanding.”
Center Matthew Knight added 16 points for the Wildcats (17 minutes) in his third game back from ankle surgery while Shawn Redhage and Jermaine Beal added 14 each.
Captain Damian Martin was also instrumental in the win, handing out five assists and ripping four steals to go along with a tidy nine points and four rebounds.
36ers Hand Perth Wildcats First Defeat
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Photo: Paul Kane, Getty Images
