Preview: Sydney vs New Zealand - Round 6, NBL24

Friday, November 3, 2023

Last season's Championship Series contenders face off for the first time in NBL24.

Sunday, November 5 at 4pm AEDT | Qudos Bank Arena

Watch: Live and free on ESPN via Kayo Freebies | 10 Peach and 10play - International viewership details
Box scores: Download the free NBL App

The Kings and Breakers are set to meet for the first time after last season’s decisive Championship Series Game 5 at Qudos Bank Arena.

Both teams have since re-tooled though, and the likes of Xavier Cooks, Derrick Walton Jr, Jarrell Brantley and Barry Brown Jr have since moved onto pastures new.

Sydney’s 20-point win over local rivals and now bottom-placed side Illawarra stopped a run of two straight losses for the side, while New Zealand’s loss to Cairns on Friday also stopped a run of four straight losses.

Former Breaker Sam Timmins could make his Kings debut against his former side after returning from a calf injury against the Hawks but not getting on the court in the win.

Sydney
103-83 win over Illawarra
80-87 loss to Cairns
95-105 loss to Tasmania

New Zealand
91-81 win over Cairns
100-103 loss to South East Melbourne
85-97 loss to Adelaide

Makuach Maluach
A hallmark of a good team is the presence of a ‘next man up’ mentality – and after incredibly limited opportunity this season, Makuach Maluach stepped up for the Kings when they needed him most.

Maluach ended the game with 16 points on 6-7 shooting, but dropped 13 of those in an incredible six minute stretch in the second quarter.

The former Melbourne wing smashed his career-high of ten points which came in a United jersey against Cairns last season.

Sydney’s roster runs deep – and although Maluach is fighting with the likes of Angus Glover, Denzel Valentine and Alex Toohey for minutes, it would be criminal not to give him an opportunity in this Championship Series rematch.

“Kuach had a hell of a game. He stepped up and kudos to him. Honestly, without his stretch in the first half that took the lead from two to eight, who knows where we would be? He trusted the process ... he’s had a couple of DNPs, a couple of low minute games and he just stuck to the process and has been putting the work in. I’m happy for him, and without his performance tonight, who knows?” - Mahmoud Abdelfattah following the win over Illawarra.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">They asked for a cook, WE GAVE EM A CHEF?<br><br>Makuach Maluach with 13 points in 6 minutes ?<br><br>Watch <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBL24?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBL24</a> live on ESPN via Kayo Sports<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LetItReign?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LetItReign</a> <a href="https://t.co/U7u0PkopnH">pic.twitter.com/U7u0PkopnH</a></p>— Sydney Kings (@SydneyKings) <a href="https://twitter.com/SydneyKings/status/1720370159951708167?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 3, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Anthony Lamb
Former Warrior Anthony Lamb continues to impress for New Zealand, and head coach Mody Maor continues to say there is still more to come from Friday night’s game-winner.

Lamb was named the Foot Locker Player of the Game in the Breakers’ 10-point win over Cairns, courtesy of his game-high 19 points on some nicely efficient shooting splits.

Maor seems keen to tinker with his starting lineup and rotations in order to re-discover that winning formula for New Zealand. Lamb has impressed from both the bench and starting five so far this season, and his versatility will play a huge role in allowing his coach to continue to zone in on what his best rotation looks like.

“He was obviously good, he made his shots, but Anthony knows my expectations for him are very high, there’s a lot more in him as a basketball player. He made winning plays and he competed at the right level, but this is just the beginning for him. He’s going to be a lot better.” – Mody Maor on Anthony Lamb post-game.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="tl" dir="ltr">Lambos feeling it!! ?<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UNBREAKABLE?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UNBREAKABLE</a> <a href="https://t.co/jRiz3M8uJw">pic.twitter.com/jRiz3M8uJw</a></p>— BNZ Breakers (@NZBreakers) <a href="https://twitter.com/NZBreakers/status/1720351164682899689?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 3, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Alex Toohey vs Mantas Rubstavicius
Both Alex Toohey and Mantas Rubstavicius are currently searching for their best position in their side’s rotation, and both Next Stars have the potential to be game-winners for their side.

That may be a strange statement to make in regards to Toohey, seeing as he’s established himself as a starter for the Kings this season, but the return of the fit-again DJ Hogg and the loss of the injured Jaylin Galloway has meant an adjustment in role for the Boomers representative.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">This week’s Hard Yakka Official - Nothing’s Tougher MVP is Alex Toohey after his dominant display against Tasmania on Sunday.<br><br>Re-live all his top plays at <a href="https://twitter.com/qudosbankarena?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@qudosbankarena</a> ?<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LetItReign?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LetItReign</a> <a href="https://t.co/JW00Ppvk8f">pic.twitter.com/JW00Ppvk8f</a></p>— Sydney Kings (@SydneyKings) <a href="https://twitter.com/SydneyKings/status/1716584863707681265?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 23, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

He played a season-low 19 minutes against the Hawks, and while he was still an effective influence, guys like Makuach Maluach and Angus Glover are putting pressure on his minute distribution.

Rubstavicius is still finding his feet after returning from a pre-season groin injury, but he’s beginning to show what a draftable talent he is as he continues to adapt to the pace of the NBL with New Zealand.

Rubstavicius pulled together the best game from his four appearances so far in the win over Cairns, and scored 11 points on a perfect 4-4 shooting in just under 18 minutes.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Mantas with a quick 5 points ?<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UNBREAKABLE?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UNBREAKABLE</a> <a href="https://t.co/KL5bETDokh">pic.twitter.com/KL5bETDokh</a></p>— BNZ Breakers (@NZBreakers) <a href="https://twitter.com/NZBreakers/status/1720336603472916802?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 3, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

He also added two steals.

It’s highly likely these two Next Stars don’t only match up on each other in Sunday’s clash – but they each possess the offensive ability to win the game for their side.

Sydney has won 12 of its last 15 home games. New Zealand has been responsible for two of those three defeats. Can they emerge from Qudos Bank Arena with another win?

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Will McDowell-White.