'Kings need to be desperate'

The continued form of the Perth Wildcats and Melbourne United mean the chasing pack is rapidly starting to lose pace with the top two in the NBL standings.

The reigning champion Sydney Kings looked to be leading the group of challengers elect to knock the ladder-leading United off their perch earlier this season, but five losses in seven games has seen them drop five games behind Melbourne – and two games behind Perth in second.

Cairns is the challenge that will face the Kings on Friday night. The Taipans are coming off a narrow loss to the Wildcats on Boxing Day, and in the same way Sydney is trying to keep pace with the top two, Cairns is trying to maintain its place in the top six ahead of the surging New Zealand and Illawarra sides.

NBL analyst Liam Santamaria says he’s hoping to see the Kings emerge with an added element of intensity in the clash with the Taipans.

“I’m hoping we get a team that looks like they have lost five of their last seven games. By that I mean not a team who is dragging their feet, but a team who is really going at it and trying to get that game,” Santamaria said on NBL Now.

“We saw a bounce-back performance on the defensive end against Tasmania in Tasmania a little while ago, but I’m looking for more than that. I’m looking for some energy and some emotion and some passion from that group.

“There are some guys who just cruise a little in their mentality on the floor with that team and as a result games have been getting away from them.

“That’s what I’m looking for from Sydney tonight, a little bit of obvious desperation.”

An in-form Next Stars matchup between Bobi Klintman and Alex Toohey headlines a raft of storylines to keep an eye on heading into the clash.

Aside from the young pair locking horns, Jaylen Adams and Patrick Miller will battle at the point guard position, while DJ Hogg will once again play his former side.

“Bobi obviously played really well the other day,” Santamaria continued.

“They lost, but he had 24 points and was plus-17 in that loss, so he’s obviously playing with some really good confidence.

“Toohey, the numbers weren’t there for his last game, but he had 15 points and seven boards against New Zealand prior to that. He’s started every game for Sydney so far, but it will be interesting to see if they tinker with their starting lineup again – obviously Jaylin Galloway came in and Denzel Valentine came out. Will they roll with that same look or switch it up again?

“There’s going to be good matchups, Pat Miller and Jaylen Adams at the point guard position is going to be fun as well.”

The Kings host the Taipans at 7:30pm AEDT on ESPN via Kayo.