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The NBL Play-In games continue this Thursday, February 13, with the Sydney Kings hosting a highly talented Adelaide 36ers squad at Qudos Bank Arena. With a spot in the next round on the line, both teams will be fighting to keep their championship hopes alive.
Can the Kings Overcome the Loss of Xavier Cooks?
Sydney faces a major challenge as they take the court without their star player, Xavier Cooks. The Kings are coming off a disappointing 95-75 loss to the Illawarra Hawks last Friday night, and Cooks’ absence leaves a massive gap in their lineup. Head coach Brian Goorjian will need to adjust his rotations, and it will be interesting to see how Sydney responds under pressure.
Adelaide’s Momentum and Kendric Davis’ Hot Form
The 36ers clinched the final NBL Finals spot but fell short in their last outing, suffering a 112-104 loss to the Perth Wildcats. Despite the setback, star guard Kendric Davis has been in top form, and Adelaide looks like a real threat to pull off the win.
What’s at Stake?
The winner of this clash will advance to face South East Melbourne Phoenix on Sunday, after the Phoenix fell 122-105 to the Perth Wildcats last night. With everything to play for, expect a high-intensity showdown in Sydney!
Who do you think takes this one—can the Kings hold strong at home, or will the 36ers ride their momentum to victory?
Here is a Sydney Kings vs Adelaide 36ers Prediction for Thursday February 12th 2025.
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Sydney Kings vs Adelaide 36ers
Venue – Qudos Bank Arena
Tip Off – 7.30pm EST
Season Record
| Team | W-L | Home | Away |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sydney | 16-13 | 7-7 | 9-6 |
| Adelaide | 13-16 | 9-6 | 4-10 |
Season Scoring
| Team | PPG | Opp PPG | Game Total Ave |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sydney | 90.7 | 88.2 | 178.9 |
| Adelaide | 94.3 | 96.4 | 190.7 |
Quick Game Facts
- Bounce-Back Kings: Sydney knows how to respond under pressure, winning their last seven finals games after a loss. Can they do it again?
- 36ers’ Dominance: Adelaide has had the upper hand in this matchup, winning five of its last six games against Sydney. Will history repeat itself?
- Davis Dishing Dimes: Kendric Davis is the league’s top playmaker, leading all qualified players with 8.0 assists per game this season!
Prediction
The Sydney Kings face a massive challenge in this Play-In clash, missing their former NBL MVP Xavier Cooks. His absence leaves a major void, and the Kings will need to dig deep to overcome it.
Meanwhile, the Adelaide 36ers have the firepower to capitalize. Despite a three-game skid, they’ll come into this one with confidence, having won their last two games in Sydney against the Kings.
Expect Kendric Davis and Montrezl Harrell to put up big numbers as Adelaide looks to take care of business and punch their ticket to a showdown with the Phoenix on Sunday.