Monster Andrew Bogut performance leads Sydney Kings past Brisbane Bullets

A monster performance from MVP-candidate Andrew Bogut has helped the Sydney Kings end Brisbane’s three-game winning streak in a physical contest that had the intensity of a playoff game.

A monster performance by Andrew Bogut has led the Sydney Kings past Brisbane. Picture: AAP

NBL finals basketball came early when Andrew Bogut and the Sydney Kings edged out the Brisbane Bullets with a hard-fought 87-81 victory at Boondall.

The Kings stopped their mid-season rot in a high-quality affair and snapped the Bullets’ three-game winning streak in front of 5810 spectators at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre.

Sydney got out to an 11-point lead in the final quarter and survived a late burst from the Bullets to go to a 14-8 win-loss record while Brisbane fell to 12-10 and need to beat New Zealand in Auckland on Sunday to stay in the top four.

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A monster performance by Andrew Bogut has led the Sydney Kings past Brisbane. Picture: AAP

Bogut was highly influential with 20 points, seven rebounds, four assists and three blocks while Jerome Randle (15 points, seven assists and six rebounds), Kevin Lisch (12 points, five assists) and Daniel Kickert (17 points) were good for the Kings.

Cam Bairstow was outstanding with 23 points and 10 rebounds for Brisbane while Lamar Patterson was on fire in the first half but — by his high standards — faded in the second half to finish with 21 points, eight rebounds and four assists. Reuben Te Rangi had 15 points off the bench.

Brisbane were right on Sydney’s hammer for the first three quarters.

It was physical, intense and skilful with every possession carrying more weight than your average regular season contest — the kind of clash you expect when second plays fourth on the ladder at the pointy end of the season.

The Kings had a four-point cushion at the last change after a seesawing third quarter with the classy back-court duo of Randle and Lisch to the fore for the visitors with seven points each in the term while Brisbane’s offence stagnated.

Matt Hodgson was left bloodied by a blow during the Bullets loss. Picture: Getty Images

Sydney took a slender 47-46 lead into halftime after two quarters of quality basketball with Patterson pouring in 13 points in the second term on the way to 19 points by halftime with MVP rival Bogut on 12 points.

The Kings jumped out to a 10-point buffer early in the first quarter but the Bullets went on a 10-0 run to grab a 24-23 advantage at quarter-time.

Bogut set the tone early.

In the first two minutes he had a bucket, a block, an assist, changed multiple Brisbane shots and provided great talk at the defensive end for Sydney.

By the end of the opening quarter he had eight points and was the only King to play all 10 minutes. He was clearly invested.

But Bogut was not the most red-hot ex-NBA Aussie on the court.

Bairstow scored Brisbane’s first nine points and 13 of their first 14 in a dynamic offensive onslaught to keep the Bullets in the hunt. Whether it was outside shots or slashes to the basket, Bairstow was a constant threat for the home side.

Bullet Jason Cadee meets an Andrew Bogut brick wall during his side’s loss. Picture: Getty Images

Bullets coach Andrej Lemanis said his side got bogged down offensively in the second half, committed too many turnovers (15), blew some defensive assignments and settled for too many three point shots (nine from 31) so the loss hurt a little bit more.

“This one stings us all a little bit,’’ he said.

“This is the second time we played Sydney were we haven’t played as well as we think we should play.

“It’s something about the game that just didn’t have a rhythm or a Bullets brand on it so when you don’t play the style and the brand that you think that you are, you always feel like that is perhaps one that got away.’’

Lemanis said there was no complacency in the Brisbane ranks but was left to lament a poor start when the Kings scored 20 points in the first five minutes.

Sydney coach Andrew Gaze said the timing and the manner of the win was critical for the Kings.

“We’re ecstatic, we beat a really good team. Well organised, well coached, tremendous talent and it’s not just the win, it’s the way we won.All the teams have had some tough times because it’s a very, very, competitive league,’’ he said

“We understand what a tough run we’ve got and that makes this win on the road really, really special.’’

He said Bogut came up huge for the visitors.

“The intangibles, the blocked shots, the assists and also the leadership ... when we’re four up with a minute to go ... that (left-handed scoop shot on the shot clock buzzer) was a huge, huge play,’’ Gaze said.

“I played him more minutes than he has (so far this season) but he seemed fresh and engaged.

“I asked if he wanted a spell and he wanted to power through so we went with him.

“He had an unbelievable game I looked at the stats and he had seven rebounds but that undersells what he did.

“Even if it was seven, it’s the intangibles.’’

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