Lowery: Wildcats let one slip

The Sydney Kings ground out a one point win over Perth on Wednesday night to take a 1-0 lead in their Hungry Jack’s NBL26 Playoff Series.

The victory marks their 12th straight and a fourth consecutive win over the Perth Wildcats this season.

While Sydney will gladly take the result, NBL champion Damon Lowery believes it’s one the Wildcats let slip, having led for more than 20 minutes compared to the Kings’ nine.

“Sydney's going, we dodged a bullet [by getting that win],” Lowery said on Thursday’s NBL Now.

“I just believe that was the game that Perth should have won, and it slipped because that's basketball.

“I now think Sydney go there [to Perth] and take care of business.”

After a game featuring 56 lead changes slipped away, many questioned John Rillie’s decision not to call a timeout on the final play.

But not Lowery.

“Why call a timeout? [You then] let the defence get set and devise some type of scheme,” he said.

“Whereas, [now] you can catch them on the hop, so I was fine with John Rillie not calling a timeout.”

Perth will look to level the series on Saturday night when they host Sydney from 8pm AEDT, live on ESPN.