Ex-Hawks superstar Kevin Lisch helped orchestrate a 90-73 Sydney Kings demolition of a wasteful Illawarra outfit on Monday night at Qudos Bank Arena.
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Lisch was in everything at both ends of the floor to propel the Kings (4-1) to their fourth straight victory and their best start to an NBL campaign since 2007-2008.
He took advantage of a sloppy display from Illawarra, who gave up 21 turnovers including an unfathomable 11 in the third quarter.
Lisch finished with 19 points, eight rebounds, six steals and three assists while he was extremely well assisted by Brad Newley (20 points, six rebounds and four steals) and Jason Cadee (14 points).
Hawks centre AJ Ogilvy led Illawarra with 20 points as they fell to their fourth straight defeat.
Both Lisch and Cadee had their fingerprints on most of the hosts early offense while Ogilvy proved near impossible to contain for the Kings.
When Lisch found his back-court partner with a pretty round the back pass for the corner three Sydney held a 15-13 advantage.
The Hawks fought back to lead by one in the shadows of half time thanks to Rhys Martin's three point play, but Dion Prewster's make from long range had Sydney up 25-23 at the first change.
Sydney's guards continued in the same vein to start the second and scored the Kings' first eight points from the field.
Illawarra shared the load to stay in touch, with Ogilvy, Clarke, Oscar Forman and Cody Ellis all making baskets.
A late flurry from the Kings saw them go into the main break 53-45 ahead.
Lisch turned things up a notch to start the third, taking advantage of a sloppy Hawks outfit that gave up 11 turnovers for the quarter.
The Rio Olympian was unstoppable hitting a couple of early threes before turning provider for back-to-back Brad Newley lay-ups.
When Newley, who had ten points for the quarter, hit a three shortly after the margin was an astounding 21 points and the match all but over.
The Kings outscored Illawarra 25-6 for the quarter to hold a game winning 78-51 buffer at the final change.
It was a mere formality in the fourth as the Kings marched back to the top of the competition.