Glover Shines as Kings Beat United at Blitz

He could very well become the heart warming story of #NBL22 after Angus Glover top-scored for the Sydney Kings in an 80-75 NBL Blitz victory over Melbourne United on Monday night.

Both teams were backing up from beginning their pre-season campaigns on Saturday where United beat the New Zealand Breakers, and the Kings fell to the South East Melbourne Phoenix, and they were back at it at the Melbourne Sport and Aquatic Centre to renew their rivalry.

Despite the Kings still missing imports Jaylen Adams and RJ Hunter along with Next Star Makur Maker, centre Jordan Hunter and Matur Maker, they got off to a flying start against the reigning champs and were able to maintain that for the eventual five-point win. 

Shaun Bruce got things rolling for Sydney with a three ball before Angus Glover showed the hops he still has despite coming off yet another knee reconstruction. He backed up two quick buckets with a triple to have seven points in the opening four minutes to help Sydney build a lead.

When Biwali Bayles hit another three heading towards quarter-time, Sydney's lead grew to 13 and the Kings were still on top 25-15 by the end of one.

Melbourne had closed the gap to two by half-time setting up a tantalising first half but the Kings flew out of the blocks again and this time Jarell Martin led the way. 

The impressive big man scored seven points in the opening minutes of the half before knocking down a three ahead of his teammates helping grow the lead to 12 by three quarter-time.

Two quick threes for Melbourne to open the fourth term from Shea Ili and Callum Dalton cut the deficit in half but despite it getting a little hairy late when United got within three, the Kings held them out for the five-point win.

The signs were tremendous for Angus Glover with the Kings as he looks to put his knee problems behind him. He got the start again and produced 18 points and seven rebounds on 3/6 shooting from three-point land.

Jarell Martin looks ominous too heading towards #NBL22 with the Kings delivering 16 points and five rebounds while Xavier Cooks is looking good too with 14 points, 14 rebounds, four assists, two steals and two blocked shots.

Biwali Bayles put up 11 points, four rebounds and four assists too for Sydney while Shaun Bruce scored seven points, Jaylin Galloway six and Tom Vodanovich six.

Jo Lual-Acuil couldn’t quite back up his 37-point outing from Saturday but still led the scoring for United with 13 points to go with seven rebounds and two assists.

Caleb Agada added 11 points, five steals, four rebounds, four assists and two blocks in an impressive all-round display while Mason Peatling finished with 11 points and eight rebounds, Shea Ili 11 points and three assists, and Matthew Dellavedova five points and three rebounds while also hitting a triple.

The Kings are next in action at the NBL Blitz on Thursday against the New Zealand Breakers while Melbourne faces the Illawarra Hawks on Saturday.

HUNGRY JACK'S NBL BLITZ

SYDNEY KINGS 80 (Glover 18, Martin 16, Cooks 14)

MELBOURNE UNITED 75 (Lual-Acuil 13, Agada 11, Peatling 11, Ili 11) 

BOX SCORE