Can Kings dispel away day demons?

Friday, December 1, 2023

The Sydney Kings have won just one of four games they've played outside of New South Wales this season. Will they get the job done in Perth tonight?

The Sydney Kings and Perth Wildcats are preparing to lock horns in what looms as one of the best games of the NBL24 season so far, and despite Sydney’s current 50 per cent win record on the road this campaign, Damon Lowery believes the reigning champions are exactly where they need to be in this season’s title race.

The Kings will travel to Perth to face up to the most in-form team in the competition, in front of one of the most raucous crowds NBL basketball has to offer.

Sydney has won just one of its four games that have been played outside of New South Wales this season, given two of their six away games have come at local rivals Illawarra.

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“At the start of every season back in the day we would say if you can win 80-90 per cent of your home games and go 50/50 on the road you’ll be fine,” Lowery said on NBL Now.

“The Kings are tracking nicely, but with the addition of (Jaylin) Galloway and (Jordan) Hunter back into the lineup that gives them the extra defensive punch they were missing.

“They’ve got their full, loaded deck back so expect a very, very competitive game.

“It could go either way ... I’ve got to go Perth, I’m going Perth at home to keep that winning streak alive.”

Should Sydney require an iota of extra motivation to get over the line against one of their fiercest traditional on-court rivals, the significance of Shaun Bruce’s 300^th NBL game could help.

Bruce has established himself as a game-winning presence for the Kings over his tenure. Already this season he’s hit a game-winning shot in the final minute against New Zealand, and then locked up star guard Parker Jackson-Cartwright at the other end to secure the victory.

“As an honorary member of the Horsham Wimmera community being a former Horsham Hornet myself, I’m so proud of Shaun Bruce and the whole Bruce family,” Lowery said.

“Shaun grew up in the shadow of his big brother Aaron, and Shaun has grinded it out, just nuts and bolts and won’t take a backward step for nothing.

“I’m so proud of him for his 300^th game. All the best Shaun.”

Sydney and Perth will tip off at 9:30pm AEDT, live on ESPN via Kayo.