NBL

Brave Kings overcome mid-game injuries, huge road trip to level NBL grand final series.

NBL commentator Jack Heverin and the GOAT Andrew Gaze noticed the “exodus” of Sydney fans with over a minute to go in the clash and the Kings down nine. Twelve days between the last game of the semi final and the first game of the grand final for the FIBA break meant both teams had players sucking in the big ones in game one. Dererk Pardon was hampered for the Breakers and Derrick Walton for the Kings. Incredible fight from the Kings to go to Auckland and win in front of a packed Spark Arena crowd, with neither having a huge impact. Thumbs down if you were among the troop of Kings fans who marched out on their team early. In game two in Auckland, he struggled as Sydney took hold of the contest. A JackJumpers’ fan tweeted Crosscourt he’d look good in Ant green and Brisbane, Perth and South East Melbourne are among his suitors — and even Phoenix import Alan Williams is on the recruiting trail. Simon took over for Sydney in the third quarter with a defensive masterclass. The 24-year-old was worth north of $500k a year before this series, and he’ll still be able to write his own cheque. Ditto Jordy Hunter, who had 15 after halftime in game one and then Kouat Noi, who poured in a team-high 20 points in game two. After leading the Kings with 18 points, six rebounds and three blocks in game one, Simon refused to lose game two with a remarkable six steals - five of those coming after halftime - to go with 12 points and nine boards. His 8.7ppg comes on just 32 per cent shooting from the field and 28.6 percent from deep.