Tim Soares’ 23 points have helped Sydney to a crushing win over Illawarra in the NBL. (Mark Evans/AAP PHOTOS)
The Sydney Kings have stormed into the NBL’s top two for the first time this season with a 122-104 trouncing of local rivals Illawarra.
Undoubtedly the league’s form team, the second-placed Kings are now on a six-game winning streak after big man Tim Soares (23 points) led the hosts to their highest score of the season.
The Kings had seven players in double-digits by the end of their offensive clinic as they continue to eye a first title since coach Brian Goorjian’s return.
Illawarra are fighting to keep their championship defence alive but the seventh-placed side paid the price for giving up 28 three-point attempts on Thursday night.
The Kings cashed in, shooting at 53.6 per cent from deep on the night and taking an 18-point lead into halftime that effectively ended the contest.
It was a busy night from all over the floor for the Kings, whose forwards Torrey Craig (14 points) and Jaylin Galloway (11 points) had their way in the paint, too.
Makuach Maluach (21 points) finished with his highest score from a four-season NBL career, including three triples from four attempts.
The Hawks could not stop the second-placed Kings but the real question might be whether anyone can, especially if they seal a top-two finish.
That would allow Sydney to bypass the sudden-death play-in tournament and host two games in the best-of-three play-offs for qualification for the grand final.
NBA champion Matthew Dellavedova (four points) returned from a worrying 18-day concussion lay-off but was barely required, such was the depth of Sydney’s arsenal.
Kendric Davis was busy again for the Kings, ending with 22 points. (Mark Evans/AAP PHOTOS)
Journeyman Kings centre Soares out-duelled his rival three-time NBA champion JaVale McGee (17 points, nine rebounds). It was that kind of night for the hosts.
MVP hopeful Kendric Davis (22 points) had another busy night, notably dishing a no-look pass for Xavier Cooks (15 points) to slam down a dunk early on.
The Hawks have now lost all three meetings with their local rivals this season by an average margin of 23 points
Sharp-shooter Tyler Harvey had 25 points to lead the visitors.
Fighting for their top-six hopes, the Hawks must play the Kings again next month, along with Sydney’s fellow heavyweights Perth and Adelaide.
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