Derrick Walton Jr of the Kings during the NBL (National Basketball League) Grand Final Game 5 between the Sydney Kings and the New Zealand Breakers at Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney, Wednesday, March 15, 2023. (AAP Image/Dean Lewins/ www.photosport.nz Photo: AAP / www.photosport.nz
The Sydney Kings' reign continues as the Breakers were forced to settle for second in the Australian National Basketball League.
The Kings were crowned back-to-back champions on their home court with a 77-69 win over the Breakers in the deciding game of the series on Wednesday.
The best-of-five finals had attracted record crowds on both sides of the Tasman but it was the Kings who celebrated in front of a new record ANBL crowd of 18,124 fans in Qudos Bank Arena.
However, after only winning five games last season, and finishing last in the league, the Breakers under first year head coach Mody Maor came close to the ultimate turnaround in fortunes this season.
In the closest finals series since 2018, the Breakers started the stronger of the two sides getting out to a 22-11 at the end of the first quarter.
The Kings reduced the deficit in the second quarter as their shots started to drop and the Breakers offence struggled. The home side outscored the Breakers 24 to 14 in the quarter to be behind 36-35 at halftime.
Straight after the break, the Kings were first on the scoreboard and took a lead that kept them ahead of the Breakers for the majority of the period until 1:37 left in the quarter and the Breakers got back in front, only for the scores to be level at 56-all on the buzzer to end the third quarter.
In the fourth quarter neither team could shake the other until with six minutes left in the game the Kings went on run, scoring 14 unanswered points which helped to secure their fifth championship title.
The Breakers guard Barry Brown Jr lead all scorers with 22 points with Jarrell Brantley the other major contributor for the Breakers with 16 points.
Derrick Walton Jr with 21 points and six assists came up big for the Kings in the final game of the series, league MVP Xavier Cooks added 19 points and 11 rebounds in the win.