The Sydney Kings will look to make it two straight home wins on Friday night when they host South East Melbourne at Qudos Bank Stadium.
The Indigenous Round match will pit the Hoops Capital against a number of former Championship Kings, including Jordie Hunter, Angus Glover, Derek Walton Jr and Tom Vodanovich.
Before your Round 8 showdown, check all the key stats.
Sydney Kings
Sydney has won each of its last 26 games when allowing fewer than 80 points. Sydney has won the second half in 15 of its last 19 matches at Qudos Bank Arena after trailing at halftime. Sydney has won four of their last five home matches against South East Melbourne. Heading into Round 8, Sydney ranks first in the league in opponent field goal percentage this season (41.3). Heading into the eighth round, Xavier Cox ranks third among qualifying players for field goal percentage (59.7) this season. This season, 43.7 per cent of Sydney’s goals have come from the bench – the highest mark in the league heading into Round 8. Six different Sydney players have scored more than 20 points in a game this season – most of them in the league before Round 8. Heading into Round 8, Sydney ranks first in the league in terms of opponent points per game this season (83.5). Heading into Round 8, Sydney sits first in second chance points per game (15.8) this season. Sydney ranks first in terms of bench points per game (38.6) this season. Heading into Round 8, Sydney ranks second in the league in points allowed per possession this season (1.07). Heading into Round 8, Sydney ranks 10th in the league in number of opponent free throw attempts per game this season (21.8). Cameron Oliver is averaging 2.8 three-pointers per game against South East Melbourne – the most against any opponent. Heading into the eighth round, Xavier Cooks is one of just two QBs who ranks in the top 10 in the league for both points (16.9) and rebounds (8.5) per game this season. Cameron Oliver has a career average of 21.3 points per game against SE Melbourne – the most points against any opponent. Xavier Cooks is the only eligible player in the league to lead his team in points (16.9) and rebounds (8.5) per game this season. Paul Cole – Game 100. Xavier Cooks recorded a career-high 10 assists in his last game against SE Melbourne. Heading into the eighth round, Jaylen Adams ranks first among qualifying players in steals per game (2.4) this season. Heading into the eighth round, Sean Bruce ranks first among eligible players in true shooting percentage (78.1) this season. Heading into Round 8, Alex Toohey ranks first in the league’s plus-minus (+92) this season.
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Southeast Melbourne Phoenix
South East Melbourne has won the fourth quarter in each of its last five games. South East Melbourne have won each of their last three away matches. Heading into the eighth round, Jordie Hunter ranks first among eligible players for field goal percentage (65.1) this season. South East Melbourne reached 100 points for the first time this season in round seven against Perth. Nathan Sobey is 24-25 from the free throw line since the start of the fourth round. Angus Glover scored 17 points against Perth in Round 7 – the most he has scored in any match since the 2019-20 season. Joe Wieskamp is shooting just 50.0% from the free throw line this season – the worst shooting percentage of all eligible players in the league. Southeast Melbourne has allowed fewer than 90 points in each of its last six games – the team’s longest even streak since 2020-21. South East Melbourne has made 8-plus three-pointers in each of its last six games – the team’s longest such streak since 2021-22. Heading into Round 8, SE Melbourne ranks first in the league in first-quarter opponents’ points per game this season (19.6). SE Melbourne has a 7-2-1 W/L/D record in fourth quarters this season – the best record in the league. Heading into Round 8, South East Melbourne ranks 10th in the league in free throw percentage this season (72.1). Heading into Round 8, South East Melbourne ranks 10th in the league in offensive rebounds per game this season (10.3). Matt Hurt is the only eligible player in the league to lead his team in blocks per game (1.0) and three-point shooting percentage (39.7%) this season. Ben Air hit 15 career three-pointers against Sydney – the most against any opponent. Matt Hurt has scored 15+ points in 10 straight games – the longest active streak of any player in the league. Matt Hurt has recorded 1+ threes, 1+ blocks, and 1+ steals in three straight games – the longest active streak of any player in the league. Matt Hurt is the only eligible player to hit 2+ triples in every game this season. Heading into the eighth round, Matt Hurt ranks first among qualifying players in points per game (20.6) this season.
