What makes the Sydney Kings so tough to stop is how many players they have that play match winning roles and never has the presence of Tim Soares been more prevalent than the record Game 1 Championship Series win.

Kendric Davis had another 25 points and seven assists on 16 shots in less than 30 minutes in the record 44-point Game 1 victory over the Adelaide 36ers too, but he might not have been Sydney's most important player.

Jaylin Galloway, Matthew Dellavedova, Xavier Cooks, Torrey Craig and Makuach Maluach were all hugely influential at both ends of the floor as the Kings scored another 100-plus points and held the Sixers to 68 points on 27/78 shooting with only six foul shots.

There might have been nobody more important than starting centre Soares, though, as he chases a second championship with the Kings.

He came up huge finishing with 22 points, eight rebounds and three assists on 8/10 shooting with the Kings +27 with him out there.

That included 17 of his points coming in the second quarter and coach Brian Goorjian is fully aware of his importance to the Kings.

"We hurt and you really notice it throughout the course of the year if he gets in foul trouble or if there's a situation where we can't get him involved in the game," Goorjian said.

"We're just a different team without him because he's multi purpose where he can shoot the ball, he can make decisions off the bounce, he's good around the basket and he's just a very, very good basketball player.

"He's also absolutely as a coach zero maintenance and just comes in every day, does his job and he's a great teammate. The organisation has done quite well when Tim's been a part of it."

Adelaide's six-time MVP Bryce Cotton only had one free-throw attempt, he shot just 4/12 from the field and only had 10 points and seven assists with four turnovers in 32 minutes.

Whether it was Dellavedova, Maluach or Craig in his face, Soares was ready as the last line of defence too.

"(What impressed me the most) was how Makuach, Delly, this guy right here (Craig) and it's really hard to stay in front of a quick guy like that (Cotton) and you see how Kendric moves and how quick he is, and Bryce is right there too," Soares said.

"I think just their ability to keep their hands out and to make it tough because you saw what he did against South East and you see what he does against any other guys.

"I think our game plan is just really made towards us and our strengths of having high hands with athletic guys, and it makes it easier for me with what they do."

The 36ers went decidedly small in the second quarter both through necessity with foul trouble and just trying to run with the Kings.

That's when Soares took over with 17 points and he just tries to stay ready to make the most of the work his teammates do to set him to flourish.

"It's great and sometimes I need to make sure I'm a step ahead thinking like X and Delly and all these guys, but it's about being in the right spots because we've got so many weapons from JG to Makuach and Torrey coming in too," Soares said.

"It's opened up everything so as long as we keep our foot down I think it's going to be tough to stop us."

There were so many players that played crucial roles in the win for the Kings and even though the result was secured by the fourth quarter, it was a chance for the chemistry and camaraderie of the group to be on show.

After missing the Game 2 win in Perth of the Playoffs due to the birth of his second child, Shaun Bruce was back out on the floor and hit a three and was quick to celebrate to the delight of his teammates.

Then emerging big man Jason Spurgin hit the floor for the first time in NBL26 after a foot injury and initially the whole team, and crowd at Qudos Bank Arena, were just happy when he grabbed a rebound.

Then he scored around the basket and then the biggest cheer of all was reserved for when he knocked down a three-pointer which for Soares just highlighted how tight the Kings group is.

"I think it's everybody's mentality and the ability to be happy for one another, and everybody is taken care of so it's just that brotherhood that we have," Soares said.

"That's very important and you know, everybody's so good to be on this team and any night people can score 20 or do what they so it's just very good for us that we have a lot of weapons on our team."

Chris Pike

Soares proving as important as any King