Kings, Davis open title defence in style

The Sydney Kings raised their NBL26 championship banner and followed it up with a tremendous all-round performance led by Kendric Davis and Xavier Cooks to open the new season beating the Cairns Taipans 111-90.

The Kings did end up winning the championship last season, but it was anything but smooth sailing, with injuries and then Torrey Craig joining late as the final piece of the puzzle.

All season long, there was talk about whether they would use that spare import spot before Craig arrived, but coming into NBL27 there are no question marks, and they produced a strong first-up showing on Sunday night at Afterpay Arena in front of 13,632 fans.

Before the game, Sydney unveiled their championship banner from last season in front of their home fans. They then put in a showing that suggests they will give themselves their best shot at going back-to-back.

Sydney put up 32 points in the first quarter and continued their hot shooting with 59 points in the first half, going 65 per cent from the field.

The Kings retained control from there despite Cairns' best efforts, led by Keanu Pinder, who produced 27 points, five rebounds and four assists.

Sydney had too many weapons and too much experience to finish with a 21-point win, yet they shot just 55 per cent and committed eight turnovers.

Fresh off last season's Championship Series MVP award, Kendric Davis picked right back up where he left off to open NBL27 with 26 points, six assists and five rebounds for the Kings.

Xavier Cooks also made a standout start with 18 points, seven rebounds and two blocks, with Torrey Craig adding 13 points and three rebounds, Matthew Dellavedova 12 points and six assists, Andrew Carr 11 points and four boards, and Makuach Maluach 10 points on 2/3 from three.

It wasn’t quite the start Cairns were hoping for, but they have Luke Paul and Jaylin Galloway to come into the team, with the Snakes shooting 43 per cent and just 13/44 from beyond the arc, where 44 of their 82 shots came from.

Pinder had a big return performance for the Taipans with Shaun Bruce having seen that banner raised to start the game beforehand but then playing for the opposition. He finished with 13 points, three rebounds and three assists.

Malique Lewis also had 13 points and five rebounds with 3/5 shooting from the outside, Jaylon Brown 11 points and six assists, and Jack McVeigh seven points on 3/7 shooting.

Sydney came out strong and, by quarter-time, led 32-26 on 11/16 shooting, up from 9/19 in Cairns, including 3/13 from the outside, despite nine points already from Keanu Pinder.

The Kings threatened to open a sizeable lead in the second period, but the Snakes responded before half-time and limited the home team to 59-53 going into the break.

Kendric Davis already had 13 points and three assists with Andrew Carr scoring 11 points on debut and Xavier Cooks adding nine while Pinder was up to 16 for the Taipans.

The Kings added another 31 points in the third, shooting 10/16 from the field and making 6/9 from downtown to extend their lead to 90-73 by three quarter-time before sealing the 21-point win.

The Taipans now play their first home game of the season on Wednesday night against the Tasmania JackJumpers while the Kings don't play again until they are back home next Sunday against the Illawarra Hawks.

SYDNEY KINGS 111 – CAIRNS TAIPANS 90

Sydney Kings
Kendric Davis – 26 points, 6 assists, 5 rebounds
Xavier Cooks 18 points, 7 rebounds, 2 blocks
Torrey Craig – 13 points, 3 rebounds
Matthew Dellavedova – 12 points, 6 assists, 4 rebounds
Andrew Carr – 11 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists

Cairns Taipans
Keanu Pinder – 27 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists
Shaun Bruce – 13 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists
Malique Lewis – 13 points, 5 rebounds, 3/5 3PT
Jaylon Brown 11 points, 6 assists, 2 rebounds
Jack McVeigh – 7 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists