Basketball news: All the latest news, results from the Christmas eve and day action

Sport in this country is the gift that keeps on giving but Christmas was always the final frontier for the codes to conquer until the Kings decided to bite the bullet with a game against rivals Melbourne United which paid off with a 101-80 win.

Fans spoke with their feet with 7012 supporters rocking up to Qudos Bank Arena on a stinking hot day in Sydney’s west in a clear sign that there’s an appetite for sport as people look to digest their Christmas lunch.

Read Next

And if Sunday’s game is anything to go by then the players are keen for the tradition to continue next year.

“It was great and it was awesome to be a part of,” Kings big man Jordan Hunter said after spending the day with his partner.

“We knew it was maybe a bit experimental to have a game on Christmas, but the turnout with the fans exceeded expectations, and hopefully it played well on television.

“Huge credit to United because it probably wasn’t an ideal scenario for them. We’re really grateful for them that they made the sacrifice to come up and play us.”

United would be open to hosting a Christmas match in the future after missing out on the special day with their family back home.

“It was a privilege to be a part of the first one,” United coach Dean Vickerman said.

“We had American players speaking of how they’ve grown up wanting to play on Christmas Day because it’s the big day to play other than the playoffs.

“It was a sacrifice for us, but it’s something we’ve done multiple times as United to help the league grow.”

Playing on Christmas Day is nothing new for major sports across the world with the NBA starting the tradition back in 1947, with five blockbuster matches set for Monday (AEST) to go with several NFL games for Aussies to enjoy.

Other codes will be looking on with interest when the TV ratings are released because there’s clearly a hunger from people to sit back and watch sport after a cheeky nap given there are only so many times someone can watch Love Actually.

It’s a concept the Kings and the NBL will look to build on with young families, diehard fans and even Santa in attendance, although Saint Nick (hamstring) was a late scratching after he signed a short-term deal with the defending champs.

JINGLE ALL THE WAY

The Kings gave their fans the ultimate Christmas present by returning to the top of the NBL table after surviving another second-half slump to eventually streak clear thanks to superstar skipper Xavier Cooks.

The MVP favourite overcame an ankle scare that forced him out of last week’s loss to the Phoenix but showed no signs of discomfort as he stuffed the stat sheet with one of his most complete performances of the season.

Cooks finished with 24 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists as the usually prolific Derrick Walton Jr was kept quiet and hobbled off in the final two minutes with a lower leg injury after he landed awkwardly trying to contest a rebound.

But Cooks made up for it and was well supported by Jordan Hunter (14 points) who came up with some big shots on Sunday night.

NO CHRIS FOR CHRISTMAS

United would have fancied their chances of playing the role of Grinch to spoil the Sydney party, but their hopes took a huge hit with sharpshooter Chris Goulding (illness) ruled out of the clash.

The visitors missed his accuracy from beyond the arc, with the veteran shooting 40.1 per cent from deep and averaging almost 3.5 threes per game.

Only four Melbourne players scored in the first half, but at least Rayjon Tucker picked up the slack with 20 points before the break, including three from long range to help United close the first half on a 14-3 run to trail 46-40 at the break.

United tied things up midway through the third quarter but couldn’t sustain the fight even though big man Isaac Humphries dominated the paint with 16 points and six blocks.

Things don’t get any easier for United with their next six games to be played on the road while John Cain Arena is being used for the tennis.

Adnam spills party pies as Sixers get Christmas chocolates

– Jason Phelan

Adelaide has won three games in a row for the first time this season after Robert Franks and Daniel Johnson fired the 36ers to a six-point victory against undermanned South East Melbourne on Christmas Eve.

The Sixers led by 14 points with four minutes left to play at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre, but had to fight tooth and nail for a 94-88 win after a brave late rally by the Phoenix, who sliced the margin to four points with a minute to play.

The result improved resurgent Adelaide’s win-loss record to 9-8, while the Phoenix, playing their fourth game in 10 days, dropped to 12-8.

“I’m very happy for our players and our organisation,” Adelaide coach CJ Bruton said.

“We had to fight for it … even though they were undermanned they gave it every crack.

“I think we’re playing better and that momentum is coming.”

“I see this as one that slipped away,” Phoenix coach Simon Mitchell said.

“We came into the game with the true belief that we were the better team and we expected to win so we’re disappointed.”

Johnson and Franks led the way with 20 points apiece, with seven of the import’s points coming in the last quarter.

New Adelaide import Ian Clark suited up for the contest, but the NBA and NBL championship-winning guard didn’t leave the bench having only arrived in the country late in the week.

Phoenix star Mitch Creek, the league’s leading scorer, was held to eight points in the first half but finished with a game-high 24 points, with Kyle Adnam the next best with 18.

36ERS LOOK TO RIDE WAVE TOWARDS FINALS

Adelaide’s season was in danger of suffering a disastrous wipeout during a frustrating first half of the NBL fixture, but with three home wins in a row CJ Bruton is planning to have his side riding the crest of a wave heading into finals.

The resurgent 36ers (9-8) have shrugged off their previous struggles at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre, with their latest win a hard-fought six-point victory against undermanned South East Melbourne on Christmas Eve.

The Sixers can make it four home wins on the trot on Thursday evening when they host a dysfunctional Brisbane outfit that took a five-game losing skid into Christmas.

“I think we’re playing better and that momentum is coming,” Bruton said.

“I’m not a surfer, but you see a surfer look at a good wave and want to go get on it … I feel like we’re paddling in and seeing that wave behind us.

“I hope that with us being at home, with us coming together with our group now and having the roster finally done, that with the games that we have left we’ll be able to stand up and ride this wave all the way in.”

Thursday night’s clash will be the fourth game in a crowded Christmas schedule that sees Adelaide play five games in the last 15 days of December.

Bruton added the final piece of his roster puzzle with NBA veteran Ian Clark signed to replace Craig Randall II shortly before Christmas.

The NBA and NBL championship-winning guard suited up and sat on the bench against the Phoenix, but the American didn’t see any court time having only arrived in the country late in the week.

“He’s still trying to get on Australian time, which is difficult,” Bruton said.

“But he got on the floor with the boys a bit (at training on Friday) and it was good.

“I think the energy is high and everyone is excited to have him around and he’s excited to be here.

“He fits in like he’s been here a while … I like what I see so far.

“It’s not crystal clear (how I will utilise him) … there will be an adjustment period again for our players.”

Anthony Drmic missed the clash against South East Melbourne through illness and will be monitored ahead of the encounter with Brisbane.

ABSENT STARS

The Phoenix were missing Gary Browne (calf), Ryan Broekhoff (hip) and Alan Williams (ankle) through injury, while star centre Zhou Qi has returned to China for family reasons.

That’s a lot of missing star power, but the absentees presented opportunities for more playing minutes and Adnam made the most of his with 11 points, including two triples, in the first quarter.

The skipper’s high-energy approach was pivotal as the Phoenix poured in 32 points in the first term to lead by six points at the first break.

Adnam scored the first points of the second term and forced Adelaide’s eighth turnover as the home side struggled to put it together on defence.

Such was Adnam’s intent to fly around the court, he sent a tray of party pies flying after he barrelled into the crowd attempting to keep the ball in play.

DJ SPARKS

In his second match back from a one-game absence with gastro, Johnson started on the bench with Kai Sotto getting the start at centre.

Johnson provided the spark his side needed to shake off an all-too-familiar sloppy start at home.

The star veteran poured in a team-high 13 points in the first half on 4-of-5 shooting to help his side rein in the visitors and edge in front by two points at the main break.

The starting centre role is an intriguing situation for CJ Bruton to ponder, with Sotto showing encouraging signs as a starter.

The Filipino sensation had five points and pulled down six rebounds in the first half, finishing with seven points and 10 rebounds.

Antonius Cleveland (13 points) had 11 boards, the Sixers winning the rebound count 50-33.

The Sixers are at home again on Thursday night when they host the Bullets, while the Phoenix are off to Hobart next for a New Year’s Day clash against the JackJumpers.

Read Next