"game of the season" A big call, and one that is most likely to offend some Wildcats fans who might call a training session between two teams because they are not involved.

Ladder positions amongst the Top 3 could change according to the outcome. Sydney are on top of the table after a run of 4/4 wins, and at home will want to make amends for losing to Melbourne earlier in the season. Melbourne are in 3rd spot with Brisbane being their bogie team this season.

And talking of bogies, isn't the Bogie Man playing well? He is leading the rebounding with nearly 12 boards a game and that is setting up a lot of plays. I bet the NBL commentators are sick of saying "Bogut gets the rebound and passes off to Randle"

Melbourne match up well against Sydney. Boone and Bogut, Ware and Randle, but Sydney are on a roll. Melbourne average a higher score per game, but this game will be a slog. Melbourne fans better get and extra shot of organic, socially responsible grown coffee into their latte today, this game is a mini GF to wrap up before Christmas. I'm calling it. Put a red nose on Lisch, he's the one to watch today and he will be Rudolph leading Santa Bogut's sleigh so the Bogie Man can give every good King's fan a present today, and all those Melbourne fans get to admire the wonderful Kings in action.

Sydney by 2

sydney by 8, im going

Not sold on Melbourne they match up well against Perth but Sydney are a different beast now they're rolling with stifling defence. I think these two teams are going to be in the GF as most expected.

Kings by 7

Hard to call this one. I agree game of the round with ladder positions up for grabs.
All Perth can do is try and beat Illawarra today.

Seven units on Sydney

"Melbourne fans better get and extra shot of organic, socially responsible grown coffee into their latte today,"

I hope the Melbourne fans had bitter, cooked avocado on their toast made from wood-fired non-allergenic gluten free sourdough this morning. It'll help them prepare for the bitter taste of their avocado import getting outmuscled and outplayed by the 7 foot returning prodigal son.

I like the way Boone plays. He was great for Melbourne in seasons past, but looks to be on the decline this season.

Bout to go out hard and spend time playing above the rim, stuffing balls into the Kings’ Christmas stockings, which will be hung from their net by Randle and his merry elves.

Sorry: Bogut to go hard

Auto co-wreck strikes again.

UseTaHoop, love ya work

Why has Boone played so little?
I'm not watching and Twitter is giving me bugger all

Interesting sub rotations. Looks like Bogut n Boone both played big minutes in Q1, resting in Q2.

Both teams scoring good spread including the bench.

This is why Perth will have trouble staying with either of these 2 in finals.

Crowd?

So many steals yet can't convert into points.

Smart alley oop play from Bowen.

Wasn't gonna score. Controlled tip to teammate.

HT SYD 47-40 MEL

Crowd: ~11,000

PW
11k in the house.

It will be a record. Regardless of head-count.

The guy in the Chemist Warehouse ad looks like Goulding's brother.

and the kid in the 3x3 Hustle ad looks like a young Daniel Johnson.

amirite

UTH a current organisation record? As Superdome had 17K in 1999 for a Kings game.

No. It will be a record. Just read the NBL's press release.

Bigger than any sporting crowd ever.

They're saying "single-game" record. They've had higher attendances for double-headers.

The 17K was a double header yes.

"Bigger than any sporting crowd ever."

Biggest crowd ever in the best sports league in the world.

So many turnovers.

Both teams giving the other the chance to win. Poor shooting right now Q4. Need money plays.

Crowd 12k now.

Crowd: ~12,000

Old SEC record: 10,610
Old SSD record: 11,005

(single game only)

#202 Bogut punched the ball in disgust after Barlow's basket. What a child.

The Kings have really shit the bed towards the end here.

Lisch does a Trimble.

Never change Randle, never change.

That was a poor shot by Randle, I can't imagine it was drawn up for him should've been Lisch.

I can't imagine anything was drawn up at all :p

23 after half time, awesome scoring by crumbles

It's the way it shatters that matters!

That's going to be an issue for the Kings trying to keep Randle and his massive ego in check towards the pointy end of the season.

We couldn't do that in Adelaide and I did think before the season Gaze/Bogut might struggle to keep him in check.

Nine Kings assists for the entire game is shithouse

Good game, well done Melbourne. Better team on the night. Sydney played poorly through most of Q4. Poor decision making and shot selection. Needed Kickert in the low block.

Kings looked gassed in the 2nd half, just ran out of legs I think, especially in the 4th Q. I feel we let that one slip away again, but credit on Melb for making some big shots down the stretch.

Not sure how it looked on TV, but in the stadium it really felt like the refs let a hell of a lot more contact go than usual - both ways. I don't mind that personally, but just seemed strange, like they'd been told to keep the foul count down for the premier match of the round or something.

@ Tom; we got Kickert in the blocks at the end and he blew a sitter! Reminded me of the Lisch layup from the last game in Melb. If we just executed even half-competently in crunch time this was a Kings W (again).

Kings looked gassed in the 2nd half, just ran out of legs I think, especially in the 4th Q.

"I hate watching Sydney regularly shit the bed late in games like this, because it makes me feel even more salty they managed to come back from 9 down with a few min to go to beat Perth lol“

Props to this. An honest Perthian anon.

Kings keep getting Gazed and Confused in tightest end games.

Copefused.

^I WANT Moller @ Illawarra with Naar & Friday!

Needs more minutes, but tough to get 'em in Melbourne.

No PF will cost the Kings dearly this year. We need a PF with inside presence and offensive rebounds. #Wearishegoing?

Was at the game, enjoyed that the referees by and large kept the whistles silent. Did NOT enjoy the hero ball in the 4th quarter... do what got you to the dance etc etc. I have no trouble at all believing 12K: this was my 3rd home game this season and it easily had the biggest crowd.

Angus that sitter was on a roll to hoop. He was in two minds so it was a poor play. But what he should of done is pitch to wide open Newley in the corner. Shane Heal referred to that at the time. Ware is the toughest on ball defender in the league and Randle was foolish trying to shake and bake him down the stretch.

Boxing Day open air game is tomorrow anyway.