Worthington: Sydney showing champion DNA

Winners of 13 of their past 15, including seven straight, the Sydney Kings look every bit championship contenders.

During that stretch, the Kings hold the best offensive (127.1) and defensive (108.1) ratings, with an incredible net of +18.4.

As impressive as the numbers are, the way Brian Goorjian’s side are winning those games has also caught the eye of two-time Olympian Mark Worthington.

“Sydney, to me, look like they're playing a championship brand of basketball,” Worthington said on Wednesday’s episode of NBL Now.

“They have an embarrassment of riches currently in Sydney, with them being able to bring the likes of Matthew Dellavedova, Xavier Cooks, Kouat Noi and Torrey Craig off the bench in recent games.”

Those championship credentials will be tested on Sunday, when the Harbour City side takes on fellow powerhouse South East Melbourne at John Cain Arena.

“[Sunday] may be a preview of what's to come in Finals [between Sydney and South East Melbourne],” Worthington said.

“It's going to be an interesting watch on the style of play, with us expecting a Finals-type intensity where both sides will test each other out.

“Where South East Melbourne rush you and make you play at a high pace, allowing them to get more shots up, the Kings are quite happy to drag you down to their level and go into the deep end and do it defensively.”

Sunday’s Round 20 blockbuster tips off at 2.30pm AEDT, live on ESPN and Channel 10.