Bruce's late three-pointer ices Kings' win over NZ

DJ Hogg's starring performance and a late three-pointer from Shaun Bruce have sealed the Sydney Kings' 87-85 win in their NBL Championship Series rematch with the New Zealand Breakers.

With the Kings down by a point in the final minute of Sunday's game at Qudos Bank Arena in front of 12,143 fans, the ball passed through hands at the top of the arc before finding captain Bruce.

The 32-year-old let it fly from long-range and the ball bounced up before falling into the rim, forcing a Breakers timeout.

Breakers import Anthony Lamb (29 points, seven rebounds) had the chance to tie the scores when he stole the ball from DJ Hogg with 30 seconds remaining.

But he could not get his shot off as he was fouled and missed the ensuing two shots from the charity stripe.

Guarded expertly by Bruce, Parker Jackson-Cartwright made a final attempt at a game-winner from long range but the ball bounced off the rim and the Kings held on. 

"In that moment, you at least want to get a shot, a clean shot," Jackson-Cartwright said.

"But that's the way it went. You learn from it."

Kings coach Mahmoud Abdelfattah lauded Bruce's effort down the stretch.

"He stepped up," he said.

"We believe in him and the work that he puts in. He's always there in the mornings, he's a leader of the group, they all trust in him, they believe in him. We don't get a win without him."

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Bruce for the LEAD ?<br><br>Catch the action live on ESPN via Kayo Freebies | 10 Peach &amp; 10 Play | Sky Sport in NZ ? <a href="https://t.co/AIBq80fn7g">pic.twitter.com/AIBq80fn7g</a></p>&mdash; NBL (@NBL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL/status/1721059520963592526?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 5, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The Kings held on for a win that proved just as tight as the sides' five-game Championship Series last season.

Just as they did then, the Kings triumphed, improving to 6-3 to begin Mahmoud Abdelfattah's first season in charge.

Hogg (18 points, seven rebounds, five assists) celebrated his first home game as a King by leading the scorers for the home side.

He hit 4-of-8 from behind the three-point line, including one that gave Sydney a five-point lead at the final change.

"He's the most easygoing guy we've got. He obviously does a lot of great stuff on the floor," Bruce said of his new teammate.

"He makes life easy for everyone."

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Hogg goes BANG ?<br><br>Catch the action live on ESPN via Kayo Freebies | 10 Peach &amp; 10 Play | Sky Sport in NZ ? <a href="https://t.co/H3qgSTOsN0">pic.twitter.com/H3qgSTOsN0</a></p>&mdash; NBL (@NBL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL/status/1721053872796443131?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 5, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Despite the loss, there was a lot to like from a Breakers team who has continued to battle a hectic schedule early in the season including an NBLxNBA trip, and has already had to replace one import Justinian Jessup and is without Zylan Cheatham.

"We see the progress, we know we're going better," New Zealand coach Mody Maor said.

"We held Sydney to four fast-break points, nine offensive rebounds, 32 points in the second half. Great job.

"If the ball bounces differently, we come out with a huge win. I'm very proud of them.

Lamb is the man who replaced Jessup and fresh off playing at the Golden State Warriors last NBA season, the forward had 17 first-half points, but the Kings maintained the lead for most of the first two quarters.

But captain Tom Abercrombie hit two threes in an 11-1 run to begin the third quarter that put New Zealand back in the fight.

With eight minutes left in the game, Lamb tied the scores at 75 by bursting through the paint for a lay-up that forced a Kings timeout.

Jackson-Cartwright (18 points, five assists) hit a three that gave the Breakers their first lead since the first quarter with just less than seven minutes to play.

But that was before Bruce came up clutch late with his huge three and the defensive stop at the buzzer to make up for a turnover where he slipped out of bounds to give the Breakers that chance at the death.

HUNGRY JACK'S NBL INDIGENOUS ROUND

SYDNEY KINGS 87 (Hogg 18, Adams 12, Bruce 11, Valentine 11)

NEW ZEALAND BREAKERS 85 (Lamb 29, Jackson-Cartwright 18, McDowell-White 11)

BOX SCORE