Why they can win: Sydney v Perth (Playoffs, Game 1)

Pete Hooley for NBL.com.au.

The Sydney Kings will host the Perth Wildcats in Game 1 of their Hungry Jack's NBL26 Playoff Series on Wednesday night, with tip-off from 7.30pm AEDT.

Before the two rivals hit the hardwood at the Qudos Bank Arena, let's check how they match up against one another.

Watch every game of the Hungry Jack's NBL26 Finals Series, live on ESPN.

Season results

- Sydney defeated Perth 94-72
- Sydney defeated Perth 108-79
- Sydney defeated Perth 102-84

Stats leaders

Sydney

Points: Kendric Davis – 24.4
Rebounds: Xavier Cooks – 6.9
Assists: Kendric Davis – 6.7

Perth

Points: Jo Lual-Acuil Jr – 17.3
Rebounds: Kristian Doolittle – 7.3
Assists: Kristian Doolittle – 3.6

Key statistic

The major identifier with the Kings dominance over Perth this season has been the damage they have done in the paint. Across the three wins, Sydney has outscored Perth by 16, 16 and 22 points in the paint, which has further highlighted the needed for the Wildcats to get Jo Lual-Acuil Jr going.

In the 12 quarters they have played one another this season, the Wildcats have won just two.

X-Factors

Tim Soares
‍The Kings big man is important in this series for several reasons, but particularly how he goes against Lual-Acuil Jr on the defensive end. While the Kings are stacked with offensive talent, Soares has been consistent enough to prove his importance as a focal point on that end. When he scores 14 points or more, the Kings are 10-1 in that stretch.

In their last game against the Wildcats, Soares held the Wildcats marquee man to 12 points on 36 per cent shooting and just three rebounds, with tempers flaring at a couple of moments in the game.

Dylan Windler
‍The versatile wing has battled through plantar fasciitis this season and still had a very productive output. When Windler scores 17 or more, the Wildcats are 8-1, which further highlights how important he is to their success. He’s also one of the best rebounding wings in the league and when he pulls down 10 or more, the Wildcats are also 8-1, with that loss coming by one point to the Phoenix.

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Why each team can win

Sydney
‍The Kings haven’t tasted defeat since the first week of January and besides some recent injury news to Tyler Robertson, are playing the best basketball of any team in the league. While they have offensive weapons everywhere, they are the League’s best defence for a reason, using their athleticism and versatility to stifle opponents.

Led by MVP runner-up Kendric Davis, who has a chip on his shoulder in recent weeks, this Kings' offence is extremely potent, being able to score at all three levels and pushing the pace off turnovers. With Kouat Noi and Torrey Craig’s role’s to increase in the post-season, there are many reasons to believe that this is Sydney’s year to go all the way.

Perth
‍The Wildcats’ confidence should be sky-high on the back of arguably their best half of basketball this season, when they put United away in the Play-In Game. Led by Lual-Acuil Jr, Doolittle and Windler, the Wildcats showed themselves what they’re capable of producing when they execute the game plan.

What works in the Wildcats favour is that they’ve played two games in the past week, to get primed for the Playoffs, while the Kings haven’t hit the floor in over two weeks since the regular season ended.