Wildcats fall to Kings in Sydney

Details
Perth Wildcats 81 defeated by Sydney Kings 96
Box Score
Qudos Bank Arena
30 January 2022

Summary
Perth’s slow starts have been a major talking point of late and today it cost them. The Kings had a nine-point quarter time lead and then extended it to 17 points at the main break through good shooting and a solid advantage on the glass. After Matt Hodgson was ejected following an altercation early in the third quarter, the Wildcats began to mount a comeback, reducing a 13-point three quarter time deficit to just four early in the final term before Sydney were able to hit some clutch shots to put the game out of reach.
Wildcats import guard Michael Frazier II did not play after injuring his hip in the warmup.

Reaction
Scott Morrison initial reaction
“We got outplayed, we got outcoached, we got outworked and we were lucky to even be thinking about a comeback in the fourth quarter, so we have to give credit to Sydney, they beat us fair and square.”

Scott Morrison on slow starts
“The start, and the middle wasn’t much better to be honest. It’s the same things every time. It’s pretty much always transition defence and rebounding, and I think tonight we threw a couple of turnovers in there. We’re going to learn oen way or another, we’re going to learn before it’s too late, or we’re going to learn the hard way. ”

Player focus
Vic Law led the Wildcats comeback to finish with 20 points, nine rebounds and four assists, while Bryce Cotton also had 20 points plus six dimes.

Key stats and facts
The Wildcats were dominated on the class, pulling down 31 rebounds to Sydney’s 47. Sydney connected on 42 per cent of three-pointers.
Mitch Norton (season-high 10 points) surpassed the 2,000 points milestone for his career during today’s game.

Next game
The Perth Wildcats take on South East Melbourne in Melbourne on Saturday.