Sydney's 110–99 win over South East Melbourne on Sunday, 8 November, wasn't a routine top-of-the-table result. The Kings trailed 30–9 midway through the opening quarter after the Phoenix landed seven early triples, then turned a 21-point hole into an 11-point victory. It's the kind of comeback that says plenty about Sydney's resilience — and raises uncomfortable questions about how South East Melbourne protects a lead.
The Phoenix couldn't have asked for a sharper start. They scored 21 of the game's first 23 points and finished the opening period ahead 38–28. Nathan Sobey was in aggressive scoring form, eventually finishing with 33 points, six rebounds and four assists, including six three-pointers. But Sydney's response began before quarter-time, and the Phoenix's shooting advantage quickly stopped translating into control of the contest.
Sydney won the second quarter 26–13, with South East Melbourne managing only four makes from 16 field-goal attempts and one three from nine. Torrey Craig had 13 points by half-time and Will Johnston supplied a timely spark. The Kings led 54–51 at the break — an extraordinary reversal given how badly the first five minutes had gone. The NBL's official game account records the scoring swing and full individual returns.
Kendric Davis then took over as the game tilted further towards Sydney. He scored 14 points in the third quarter and finished with 28 points and nine assists, while Craig contributed 23 points, five rebounds and three blocks. Xavier Cooks' 15 points, 14 rebounds, four assists and two blocks gave the Kings a reliable presence inside. Sydney led 83–70 at the last change after outscoring the visitors 29–19 in the third period.
South East Melbourne still had one more push. Sobey's outside shooting brought the margin back to four midway through the final quarter, but the Kings answered with eight straight points, capped by a Makuach Maluach dunk. Maluach finished with 14 points, three steals and two blocks. The response mattered as much as the comeback itself: Sydney didn't allow another Phoenix run to turn a commanding third-quarter advantage into a frantic finish.
The result put Sydney at 8–3 and back on top of the ladder, while the Phoenix slipped to 4–7. South East Melbourne coach Josh King has since called for greater defensive consistency and more from his reserves. Skylar Mays played fewer than 11 minutes for two points on one-of-seven shooting, and Jordan Hunter had two points and three rebounds in 15 minutes. King's post-match assessment makes clear the concern extends beyond one player.
For Sydney, this was a demonstration of depth and composure: Davis created, Craig scored efficiently, Cooks controlled the glass and Johnston and Maluach supplied meaningful contributions. For the Phoenix, the lesson is more urgent. A spectacular opening burst won't carry a team through 40 minutes if its defence and second-unit production can't hold the line. Their next test is Wednesday's Ignite Cup meeting with Illawarra, while Sydney travels to Cairns on Friday.
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