Preview: Sydney vs Adelaide (Round 2)

Friday, October 6, 2023

Both Sydney and Adelaide lost their opening game in Round 2. Who can bounce back with a win?

Sunday, October 8 at 4pm AEDT | Qudos Bank Arena

Watch: Live on ESPN via Kayo Freebies | 10 Peach and 10play - International viewership details
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Both Adelaide and Sydney enter this clash walking wounded after dropping their opening games of Round 2.

The Kings never quite got going against a fired up Tasmania in the early game on Friday night, while the 36ers’ slow start against Perth relegated them to another loss in the following fixture.

Sydney has been solid if unspectacular to kick off the new campaign, and those growing pains that were set to be endured with a new coach and group of players have well and truly kicked in.

Adelaide, meanwhile, will be hoping to avoid an 0-4 start to the season. The 36ers have showed flashes of quality in each of their games so far, but each clash has seem them drop the ball and fall well behind at some point in the fixture.

The Kings will want to put on a strong show for a likely full house at Qudos Bank Arena too, as the unveil their NBL23 championship banner for their fans.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">??? ????? ???? ???? ?? ???24 ?? ????!<br><br>Make sure you get to <a href="https://twitter.com/qudosbankarena?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@qudosbankarena</a> by 3.45pm Sunday to witness the unveiling of our <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBL23?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBL23</a> championship banner and see the players presented with their rings ?<br><br>??: <a href="https://t.co/7n1c4PGVMN">https://t.co/7n1c4PGVMN</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LetItReign?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LetItReign</a> <a href="https://t.co/8XMSSU7JX8">pic.twitter.com/8XMSSU7JX8</a></p>— Sydney Kings (@SydneyKings) <a href="https://twitter.com/SydneyKings/status/1710399656948048223?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 6, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Sydney
72-80 loss to Tasmania
96-81 win over Illawarra

Adelaide
75-82 loss to Perth
74-82 loss to Melbourne
71-86 loss to Brisbane

Denzel Valentine

When he arrived in Sydney Denzel Valentine came with a reputation as a fast-scoring, bucket-getting wing. While other areas of his game have excelled so far with the Kings, that has not been the case so far.

Valentine has averaged just seven points per game across his first two games in Kings colours, and while he was on triple-double watch in the win over the Hawks, he struggled against Tasmania.

His best NBA season saw him average over 10 points per game over 77 appearances for Chicago in 2017-18, and while he’s a more than capable assister and rebounder, the Kings’ offence has been stagnant unless somebody has found themselves on a shooting tear.

Kouat Noi torched the Hawks in Round 1, while Alex Toohey’s first half against Tasmania was impressive, but can Valentine elevate his game to ensure the Kings aren’t relying on individual brilliance to win them the game?

"It's a short season from here to early March, and then I plan on going back to the NBA ... it's a great opportunity to come here, get my feet wet, get back rolling and try to win a championship and then try to get back to the NBA." - Denzel Valentine upon signing for the Kings.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Oh YEAH DV <a href="https://twitter.com/denzelvalentine?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@denzelvalentine</a> <br><br>Watch <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBL24?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBL24</a> live on ESPN via KayoSports<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LetItReign?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LetItReign</a> <a href="https://t.co/oVsem8wr8M">pic.twitter.com/oVsem8wr8M</a></p>— Sydney Kings (@SydneyKings) <a href="https://twitter.com/SydneyKings/status/1710217890425913429?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 6, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Isaac Humphries

It’s no secret the 36ers have struggled this season, but a shining light for them has been the return of centre Isaac Humphries to the club.

Adelaide looked down and out against the Wildcats on Friday night until Humphries dragged the team back into contention in the third quarter. He was swatting shots, getting buckets, dropping dimes and pulling rebounds in what was an all-action display of post brilliance, and while it wasn’t enough, it was exciting.

Adelaide has been slowly trimming the margin down in each of its three games this season, and if more support can come around the almost inevitable hot streak Humphries seems to dish out in every game, they might just get over the top.

"We only gave up 10 o-boards when we’ve been giving up 22, 23. There are little wins but it’s not enough to get us over the line right now. It was a better effort in the second half." – CJ Bruton post-game against Perth.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Isaac Humphries starts game two with a bang ?<br><br>Catch the Wildcats and 36ers live on ESPN via Kayo ? <a href="https://t.co/04zTDBVLHG">pic.twitter.com/04zTDBVLHG</a></p>— NBL (@NBL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL/status/1710244451103264791?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 6, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Alex Toohey vs Jacob Wiley

In the absence of DJ Hogg. the Sydney Kings seem to be favouring a small-ball lineup that starts Next Star Alex Toohey at power forward, and while the young star has been playing with a maturity beyond his years, Jacob Wiley is set to offer a different prospect than he’s faced this season.

Wiley is a much more traditional big than Illawarra’s Gary Clark or Adelaide’s Jack McVeigh. He’s big, strong, tough, and not afraid to throw his weight around.

Although he’s never been an electric scorer, Wiley is averaging a cool 11.3 points per game this season, as the Sixers look to find their offensive balance, and it’s almost certain he’ll look to test Toohey in the post early doors on Sunday.

But the same goes for the other end too. While Wiley will be asking questions around Toohey’s abilities down low, the latter's deceptive pace and agility and good outside shooting could well cause the 36ers import problems on the other end.

Trey Kell III has a career average of 19.5 points per game against Sydney – the highest against any opponent. The former South East Melbourne wing has struggled to find his touch this season, but who better to do that against than the reigning champions?

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Trey Kell III is currently averaging 9.7 points per game on 31.6 per cent shooting in NBL24.