It was billed as one of the games of the season, and, boy did Thursday night's derby in Wollongong live up to the hype.
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In a see-sawing and entertaining shoot-out, the Kings rose late to claim a 107-102 over-time win over the Hawks in front of a packed WIN Entertainment Centre.
The teams - who were sitting second and third on the NBL ladder - couldn't be separated at the end of the fourth quarter, with the score locked at 92-92. However, the Kings lifted their intensity in the next five minutes to secure a five-point victory.
The win was set up by a sublime performance from Sydney's Dejan Vasiljevic, who sunk nine three-pointers on his way to a career high tally of 33 points. Teammate Jarelle Martin mustered 21 points and six boards, while Jaylen Adams (17 points, seven boards and seven assists) also impressed.
For the Hawks, Tyler Harvey was outstanding, mustering had 35 points, five assists and five rebounds. Justinian Jessup scored 21 points, while Sam Froling (14 points, 13 boards) finished with a double-double.
The result capped Sydney's 13th straight victory and keeps them in the hunt to claim the minor premiership.
"My initial thought is disappointment that we lost the game. But, on the flip side, I've been in the NBL a long time, out and in, and the quality of basketball tonight was pretty high. It was a great game of basketball between two very, very deep teams. And both teams played well," Hawks coach Brian Goorjian said.
"We walk away with our heads held high. I'm really excited about the community getting behind their team, and I certainly don't feel like we disappointed them."
It was a three-point frenzy to start Thursday night's game, with Jessup draining one and Vasiljevic nailing two.
The game continued to move quickly from end to end, with the home side taking a 18-14 lead. It was Harvey who did the damage for Illawarra, scoring eight points.
But the Kings were able to halt the momentum through back-to-back buckets from Makur Maker, before Adams' three gave their side a 22-18 advantage.
However, the Hawks finished strongly, with Xavier Rathan-Mayes' buzzer-beater capping a 5-2 run to cut the deficit to 24-23 at quarter time.
Hawks came firing out of the blocks in the second, scoring seven of the first nine points, before Vasiljevic hit two three-pointers to draw level at 32-32.
The game continued to be an entertaining and see-sawing affair. Harvey was red-hot in offence for Illawarra, draining seven points, while Martin and Vasiljevic did the damage at the other end of the court as the Hawks led 43-41.
Adams and Antonius Cleveland then both went two from two from the charity stripe, before Vasiljevic's bucket plus free throw gave the Kings a 46-45 lead.
Harvey then went to the bench, but it didn't halt the scoring as Jessup caught fire. The NBL Next Star banked eight points - including two baskets from long range - as the Hawks took a slender lead.
Ian Clark's late floater then saw the Kings draw level at 53-53 at half time.
Sam Froling got the Hawks rolling in the third, before Vasiljevic and Jessup again traded three-pointers. Adams then nailed two free throws, before sinking one from long range as the Kings took a 61-58 advantage.
The visitors then started to find their groove, going on a 9-4 run - capped by a Martin three - to jump out to a 70-62 lead.
Enter Harvey, who mustered nine points as the Hawks went on a 13-2 run to take 75-72 lead, before Clark's three saw the Kings draw level again.
Vasiljevic then stepped up for Sydney, sinking three free throws, as the visitors led 78-75 at three-quarter time.
Duop Reath opened Illawarra's account in the last with a three-pointer, as the shoot-out continued. Harvey mustered a bucket and an assist for the Hawks, while Vasiljevic scored six points as the Kings led 86-83.
The pulsating affair continued, with the Hawks cutting the margin to 92-90 heading into the final four minutes. The intensity lifted again late in the game, however, both sides suddenly went cold in offense.
With 90 seconds left, the referee made a controversial double dribble call against Adams. Reath was able to take advantage of the moment, sinking a bucket to draw level at 92-92.
Rathan-Mayes had a chance to score the winner on the buzzer, but missed, meaning the game was forced into over-time.
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The Kings burst out of the blocks in over-time, with Clark and Martin each hitting threes, before Martin scored four further points to give them a 102-92 lead. This run occurred despite Adams limping with a suspected calf issue.
Reath was able to end the run with a three-pointer, before Clark returned serve as the Kings led 105-95.
Harvey again lifted to score four of the game's next six points, before Jessup sunk one from long range. However, it wasn't enough as the Kings claimed a 107-102 victory.
The Kings will return home to face the 36ers on Sunday, while Illawarra's attention will turn to next Friday's tough trip to Perth.
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Joshua Bartlett
A sporting fanatic who is keen to promote all codes in the Illawarra and abroad. Mercury's chief football reporter.
A sporting fanatic who is keen to promote all codes in the Illawarra and abroad. Mercury's chief football reporter.
