Can Perth finally crack the Kings at home?

The Perth Wildcats are pushing for top spot from second on the ladder, but coach John Rillie knows his side still has a hurdle to clear before it can be considered a genuine contender.

Last week’s 21-point loss to the Sydney Kings snapped a four-game winning streak and served as a timely reality check for Perth, extending its losing run against the reigning champions to six.

The Wildcats are going strong and improving by the week, even without Jo Lual-Acuil Jr, but they need a win on Wednesday night to really prove their credentials.

They would love nothing more than to spark their season with an Ignite Cup win over the Kings.

“We got to play as close as to 40 minutes of good basketball as possible, and we just haven’t done that in, you know, the last five, six games,” Rillie said ahead of Wednesday’s clash at RAC Arena.

The Kings opened up a 12-point lead in the first quarter when the teams last met, with Perth committing 7 turnovers before the first break, and the final 21-point margin was Sydney’s biggest lead of the night.

Kristian Doolittle was sidelined in that game and will be a welcome inclusion this time, but the Wildcats will have to contain the likes of Torrey Craig and Kendric Davis, who did the damage last time around.

“They’ve [the Kings] done a great job in seizing games in moments at the right time, and we haven’t been able to do that yet,” Rillie said.

“I have to remain calm and mindful of the situation without letting my natural instincts take over. We got to find a way to beat them and then go from there.”

Perth has already responded once. Doolittle posted 23 points, 10 rebounds and 8 assists on his return in Friday’s 103-102 win over Melbourne United, while Brandon Knight drew a late charge on Cole Anthony and then hit the game-winner.

Knight managed 10 points on 3/11 shooting in Sydney, his second game for the Wildcats, but took a significant step against United with 20 points.

“He’ll help, and his confidence and everyone’s understanding of each other is certainly growing,” Rillie said.

“But obviously with his heroics the other day, like I’m sure that’s what everyone will expect from here on out. But like, he’s been a great addition to our team, and it’s evolving at a nice rate.”

Rillie said the key to breaking through against Sydney will be sharper execution and a simple, clear game plan.

“For us it’s more like, what can we execute a little bit better? What do we need to be, like, really dialled into?” he said. “Obviously their personnel plays a huge part, but like, how can we simplify it to get to the end goal we’re looking for?”

The Wildcats will still be without Lual-Acuil Jr, who won’t be re-evaluated until after the November FIBA break, and Rillie’s focus is on stopping Sydney’s transition game.

“With the Kings, they’re very explosive in transition from defence to offence,” he said. “So, can we limit those moments? Instead of it being a 7-0 run, you know, can we make it a four or a five-point run? Can we avoid live-ball turnovers so their transition isn’t like a dunk?”

After close losses last season, Rillie believes Perth’s growing composure in tight games is no accident.

“That’s like sport. That’s life,” he said. “Do you want to give up in those moments or do you persevere and make the most of them?”

“If I would have lost a lot of sleep over those moments, we wouldn’t be getting the rewards of this year.

“It’s cyclical in the fact that if you bide your time and you do the right things, like, it swings into your favour in time.”

Perth hosts Sydney at 9:30pm AEDT on Wednesday night from RAC Arena, live on ESPN.