The Kendric Davis-Bryce Cotton tension sizzled but it was the Adelaide 36ers role players led by Matt Kenyon and John Jenkins III that were instrumental in them handing the Sydney Kings a first loss of NBL27, winning 84-78.

The 36ers arrived at Afterpay Arena needing a win sitting at 2-4 having lost their last three while the Kings had won their opening three matches at home to begin their championship defence.

It was the first time the two teams had met since the remarkable five-game Championship Series earlier this year, but it was an Adelaide team under five-time championship winning coach Trevor Gleeson who came out a team on a mission.

They had their defensive bite back which was led by Kenyon and then Jenkins found his shooting touch knocking down six three-pointers with the Sixers taking charge in the second half.

Adelaide outscored Sydney 43 points to 34 in the second half to secure the six-point win and improve to 3-4 with some late fireworks between the two superstars.

They went to war in that Championship Series and did so again on Sunday with them needing to be separated late and earning a flagrant foul each as a result in the final minute.

Davis was pointing to the championship logo on his jersey with Cotton walking off signalling his six MVP awards, and it was the Adelaide superstar with the last laugh this time finishing with 17 points and eight assists to go with the win.

Jenkins then shot 6/17 from the outside on his way to 20 points with Kenyon outstanding at both ends with 11 points, eight rebounds and three assists with 3/3 long-range shooting.

Nick Rakocevic continued his standout form with 16 points, nine rebounds and four assists with Zylan Cheatham also having 10 points, 10 boards and four assists.

Xavier Cooks had 11 points on perfect shooting for the Kings and finished with 22 points with eight rebounds and three assists.

Davis finished with 16 points and seven assists but shot 6/19 with Makuach Maluach contributing 12 points and five rebounds, Tyler Robertson eight points on 2/2 three-point shooting, and Andrew Carr eight points and five boards.

It was the first Championship Series rematch of the season with the Kings unbeaten and pressure building on the Sixers, and it was a tied ball game at 18-18 after one with a buzzer-beater for the visitors from Matt Kenyon.

Sydney narrowly worked on top in the second frame with 26 points to 23 and that saw the reigning champions go into half-time leading 44-41 with Xavier Cooks up to 15 points and five rebounds.

Makuach Maluach and Tyler Robertson chimed in with eight points each while Kendric Davis had six points and five assists.

Nick Rakocevic had another 10 points, three rebounds and two assists already for Adelaide with John Jenkins III hitting three triples while Bryce Cotton had nine points and four assists.

The Sixers then locked in further in the third quarter with 20 points and another three ball to Jenkins while holding the Kings to just 12 points on 6/16 shooting along with 0/5 from the outside and another four turnovers.

Adelaide took control in the last quarter, opening up a 12-point lead, and then a late steal from Cotton on a pass from Davis lit the fuse once more in their rivalry, but Cotton and his Sixers walked off with the important early six-point win.

The Kings now head to Canberra to play the New Zealand Breakers in an Ignite Cup by 7-Eleven match up on Wednesday with the 36ers next in action away to the Tasmania JackJumpers on Friday.

SYDNEY KINGS 78 – ADELAIDE 36ERS 84

Sydney Kings
Xavier Cooks – 22 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists
Kendric Davis – 16 points, 7 assists, 5 rebounds
Makuach Maluach – 12 points, 5 rebounds
Andrew Carr – 8 points, 5 rebounds
Tyler Robertson – 8 points, 2 rebounds, 2/2 3PT

Adelaide 36ers
John Jenkins III – 20 points, 6/17 3PT
Bryce Cotton – 17 points, 8 assists, 2 rebounds, 2 steals
Nick Rakocevic – 16 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists
Matt Kenyon – 11 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists
Zylan Cheatham – 10 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists

Chris Pike

Role players shine as Sixers knock off Kings