Perth Wildcats vs Sydney Kings: Saturday Preview

Game Details
Perth Wildcats vs Sydney Kings
5.00pm WST 19 February @ Qudos Bank Arena
Watch LIVE on ESPN – available via Kayo or Foxtel

Context
A win for Perth will see them keep pace with Melbourne United at the top of the NBL standings, while the fifth placed Sydney Kings will be looking to protect their winning record. They are currently the form team of the competition having won five of their last six.
This is the Wildcats second visit to Sydney this season. The Wildcats come into the game following a loss to United last week and splitting their previous two results. It’s their seventh straight away game.
Perth’s rebounding struggles has been a talking point throughout the week, after the Wildcats were outrebounded by an average of over 10 boards over the last three games. Both coach Scott Morrison and star Vic Law made no excuses for the problem and believe it’s a mindset issue.
Another talking point for pundits is the return of Matt Hodgson, who missed the last two games through suspension after being charged with striking the last time these teams met.

What the coach had to say
Scott Morrison on improvements he wants to see:
“Just our details, especially defensively. Getting back in transition and matching up, trying to keep their best rebounds off the glass by blocking out, not giving up back cuts or straight line drives to the rim, and then offensively just making sure we value every possession. I think in the Melbourne game we started out great and then got a bit loose with it and some guys started to force it instead of taking what was given to us offensively and we’ve got to make sure every possession counts.”

Scott Morrison on Sydney’s Jaylen Adams
“Just don’t give him anything easy. He’s going to get buckets, he’s a great player, but if we  make it easy for him by making mental mistakes with our defence, it’s going to be that much harder to stop him down the stretch because he’s going to have that confidence and momentum. So, start out being solid, make him earn his buckets.”

Roster Availability 
Todd Blanchfield will not be available for tomorrow’s game against the Sydney Kings due to shoulder soreness. Guard Kyle Zunic comes into the team.
Ollie Hayes-Brown will make way for centre Matt Hodgson, who returns to the team after completing his two-game suspension.

Opponents to watch out for
Jaylen Adams is averaging 18.9 points per game. He made headlines last week with his game winning dunk over the Brisbane Bullets.
Sydney are also set to introduce NBA veteran Ian Clark for Saturday’s game. The play-making guard played over 300 NBA games.

Last time they met
The two teams met just three weeks ago, with the Sydney Kings building a big early lead. The Wildcats were able to close the 19-pioint defeicit to just four in the final quarter, but the Kings would pull away down the stretch. Bryce Cotton and Vic Law both scored 20 points, while Sydney’s Adams had 30.

Fun Facts and Stats
So far this season, teams that score 84-points or more against Perth are 4-0, while teams that score 83-points or less are 0-8.
The Wildcats are the only team not to lose consecutive games in 2021/22.
Sydney have not been Perth at home twice in the same regular season since 2005.
Rob Feaster holds the scoring record for a Wildcat playing against the Kings, dropping 40 in 2003. Bryce Cotton is second with his 39 points in 2019.

History
The Perth Wildcats and Sydney Kings have met 103 times, with the Wildcats winning 63. Perth Have won 10 of their last 12 against the Kings.