Sydney found a way to win a game its shooting had no business winning. The Kings missed 21 of their 26 three-point attempts, Kendric Davis went 0-of-7 from deep, and Tasmania led by seven with three minutes remaining. Then Makuach Maluach buried two late triples, Sydney finished on a 12–2 run and escaped Launceston with a 71–68 victory on Friday night.
The NBL's match report confirms the Kings are now 7–3 and back on top of the ladder. It also captures why this was more than a dramatic finish: Sydney had played in Perth on Wednesday and arrived for its third road game in six days. Tasmania, meanwhile, had enjoyed an eight-day break. Fresh legs were supposed to be the JackJumpers' advantage. Sydney's last few possessions made a mess of that script.
Davis still generated 20 points, nine assists and three steals, but needed 26 field-goal attempts to get there. His 7-of-26 shooting is a useful fantasy reminder that opportunity and efficiency are not the same thing. The ball remained in his hands and the assists kept coming even when his jumper deserted him. Managers can value that workload without pretending the shooting line was pretty.
The rescue operation was built elsewhere. Xavier Cooks scored 15 points on 6-of-8 shooting and grabbed six rebounds, five at the offensive end. Torrey Craig added eight points and seven boards. Those extra possessions kept Sydney close enough for Maluach's two decisive threes to matter. Maluach finished with eight points and six rebounds; his modest total hides the timing of his contribution.
Tyler Robertson has quietly made the backcourt conversation more interesting. He scored 10 points on 3-of-4 shooting against Tasmania after posting 11 points, three rebounds and three assists in Wednesday's 99–91 win over Perth. That's consecutive double-digit scoring efforts from a reserve who had previously been a smaller part of the attack. It earns him attention in deeper Fantasy Draft leagues, though any waiver claim still depends on actual eligibility, availability and whether the minutes follow the production.
Tasmania's frontcourt offered a different kind of fantasy value. Will Magnay collected 14 rebounds with nine points and three assists; Josh Bannan supplied 11 points, 11 rebounds and five assists. Dakota Mathias led the scoring with 20, including four three-pointers. Taran Armstrong had 13 points, six rebounds and three assists, a quieter scoring night than some of his recent outings but still a useful all-round contribution.
The JackJumpers also lost David Johnson to a leg injury before half-time. There was no confirmed return timetable in the immediate match report, so Tasmania's rotation needs another check before Sunday's game against South East Melbourne at John Cain Arena. That is the pressing selection question for the side with another Round 7 fixture still to play.
Sydney, by contrast, has finished its Round 7 work and does not play again until its home meeting with the Phoenix on 8 November. That gap gives fantasy managers time to judge Robertson's growing contribution and Davis's high-volume, low-efficiency night in context. The Kings will happily take the ladder points now. The cleaner shooting can wait until next week.
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