Bul at a gate: Kuol's Doo-fensive masterclass

Kendric Davis was scintillating, Xavier Cooks and Kouat Noi were super efficient, but it was the defence led by Bul Kuol on Kristian Doolittle that Brian Goorjian identified as the key to the Sydney Kings’ biggest ever RAC Arena win.

There were plenty of reasons behind Sydney’s 108-to -79 victory in Perth on Friday night, the equal biggest loss suffered by the Wildcats at the venue.

Still, nothing trumped Kuol’s defensive impact. In just under 20 minutes, the Kings were plus 22 with him on the floor, as he relentlessly pressured Doolittle.

The Wildcats star was scoreless on three shot attempts in the first half and finished with five points on two from 10 shooting, with Perth minus 18 in his 29 minutes and 53 seconds.

“It was probably the key to the game plan, because Doolittle's been I'd say right there as the best player in the league ... he's been like Xavier for us with him their key ball carrier, and they play off him,” Goorjian said.

“He's like their point guard and Bul matches him size-wise and could pressure on him in the back court. Holding him to five tonight and wearing him down was a big factor in the win.”

Davis led the way with 38 points. Cooks went a perfect seven from seven from the field for 17 points, adding six rebounds and three assists.

Noi was equally damaging, knocking down six triples on his way to 23 points.

While Kuol set the defensive tone, the rest of the Kings followed suit, holding the Wildcats to just 33 per cent shooting from the field.

Goorjian labelled it Sydney’s best defensive effort of NBL26, lifting the Kings to an 8-7 record ahead of a road clash with Melbourne on Sunday.

“It (defence) was the key to everything and it opened up the offence and it was the whole focus, and it has been since the start of the season when we lost those two bigs (Keli Leaupepe and Jason Spurgin),” Goorjian said.

“We knew we were going to have to go small, we were going to have to get in lanes and we were going to have to be aggressive defensively.

“It’s been a rollercoaster ride, but there’s been a steady climb over the last six or seven, and tonight was probably it at its best. It’s the best defensive game we’ve played.”

Offensively, Davis delivered the missing piece to his game. He entered Friday night averaging 22.1 points and 4.9 assists, but his three-point shooting had lagged behind.

After making just 23 triples at 27 per cent across his first 14 games, Davis erupted, going seven from 13 from deep for 38 points, eight assists and five rebounds, finishing plus 30 in 31 minutes.

“We needed that firecracker in our group with the pieces that we have with a lot of good defenders and length who need somebody to create for them, and somebody to play off,” Goorjian said.

“I just thought tonight the big addition to his game was the three ball and he hasn’t been shooting that elite level, but he’s been working on it and he’s had to rely on getting his feet in the paint and finishing there or getting to the foul line.

“Tonight the seven threes opened up his whole game.”