The Sydney Kings have opened the new NBL season with three successive wins following a 96-91 victory over New Zealand Breakers.
The Kings faced a few anxious moments on Friday night after seeing their seven-point fourth-quarter lead disappear thanks to an 8-0 run from the visitors.
But the experience of point guard Casper Ware (27 points) came to the fore as Sydney recovered to maintain their unbeaten start to the campaign.
Reigning league MVP Andrew Bogut overcame back tightness to finish with 11 points, 15 rebounds, five assists and four blocks, while veteran swingman Brad Newley added 17 points.
After missing the first two rounds with a back issue, exciting Brazilian prospect Didi Louzada made his Kings debut and tallied eight points and seven rebounds.
Played their opening match of the new season, the Breakers were paced by new import Scotty Hopson (27 points, seven rebounds) and Corey Webster (21).
The match also featured the debut appearance of highly-touted American teenager RJ Hampton, the NBL Next Star played 21 minutes for seven points and three rebounds.
Louzada made an immediate impact for his new club with the first basket of the night, joining Newley to power Sydney's offence through a fast-paced opening stanza.
But with Webster finding his shooting range and a late cameo from Jarrad Weeks, the Breakers built a narrow 28-27 advantage at quarter time.
The visitors jumped further ahead when Webster drilled a long bomb to open the second quarter, but Ware stepped up, and the Kings took a 48-47 lead into halftime.
The intensity from both teams lifted in the third quarter, Bogut earning a technical foul for his spray at the referees, but the Kings emerged with a 72-67 lead courtesy of guard Shaun Bruce's late three-point play.
The hosts looked home and hosed as they expanded their lead to 78-71 in the fourth quarter, but the Breakers rallied before the Kings pulled clear.
AAP
