I'm with you LC, this game is probably one of the most crucial games of the season. The series between United and the Kings will be a big part in deciding the 4th spot and so both teams will be keen to get first blood. Who will go the full Rambo this afternoon? Will Childress bag out? Who from United will stand up? and will Ben Madgen dance with a chair?

I'm actually liking the Kings to get this one. Being able to shoot the 3 is important, but the Kings can do that, plus drive in, plus be a threat inside. I think Tommy Garlepp will be the quiet achiever and will be the difference today (sorry Tom for giving you my Kiss of Death, don't let me down son!)

Kings

In the Perth v Sydney Game the Kings didn't go to Childress early in the game or early in their offence and it seemed to throw the Perth defence off.

I also think Garlapp may be the difference between the two sides but Sydney need to shut down Melbournes perimeter shooting if they are to have a hope in hell of winning.

Word at the venue is Childress is OUT! Hamstring issues apparently.

Roy Ward: Josh Childress no where to be seen on court, his name isn't on the scoreboard. Appears he is a late scratching due to hamstring probs

Could be the difference between winning and losing fro the Kings if he does in fact miss the game.

Ouch!

Time for someone for Sydney to grab the bull by the horns

That changes everything, I now expect Melbourne to pull away in the 3rd.

Cadee! Wow

14 points (4/6 3pt) in the first 8 mins of the game!

That's what I have been waiting to see from him.

Good on him for punishing United. They didn't show respect when he came off those on ball screens.

Great to see Childress on the sideline coaching players and helping them out, jumping up supporting his team and cheering every bucket and getting among.

Daniel Joyce, drop him to the 2nds.

Childress has the right attitude. A very good example to many.

Some very hot shooting in that first half!

Walker looks a little toasted ! Too much beach...

Tigers struggling to beat Sydney who are missing childress, they are not a top 4 team United

Tigers United!

I meant united force of habit
Did childress do his hammy after those celebrations against Perth

What was final score? Half an hour after game finished it's still not on NBL website #surprise,surprisesundayrates

Sydney robbed of the foul on Cadees drive. Should be their win. No I am not a Sydney fan. Well done to them on the pseudo loss without Childress. Start worrying United..

105/101

No foul on Cadee, he got himself out of control.

Possibly a foul on Walker on the rebound though.

Not an inspiring weekend for United but they have escaped with 2 wins and remarkably, depending on the result this afternoon could find themselves half a game outside second by this time next week.

It's better to stunningly than lose ugly and both those games were very ugly but they are still worth the same points.

Couldn't catch OT, but who was it that gave Kickert that three to tie up the scores in regulation? Duinker or Garlepp? You could see that Kickert three coming from a mile away with him pretending to take it easy further in, then sneaking out.

Thought the Kings did well to stay in it. And DMac seemed reluctant to use his bench much, in the segments I watched at least.

Cadee fouled on drive , but

1) refs don't call that in the last seconds of a game
2) refs don't call that on Worthington
3) every guard knows they won't get the score or the foul in that situation on Worthington.

Cadee is just not that bright ( loved his behind tha back dribble that gave the steal and lay up to Melb - when they desperately needed a stop and it looked like sydney were about to go 6 up in the last 2 minutes of the 4th quarter.

Weird to see Melbourne struggle at home against The Kings without Childress.
Not exactly stamping their authority on 4th spot.

garlepp didn't make the distraction run when dunker overran the shot blinder

Very Old, re 2) - refs apparently also don't call Worthington for pushing his opponent in the back with both hands so he could receive the inbounds pass, and don't call him for walking into a driving Garlepp. Both were plainly visible in real time and neither called. Even I was surprised at those two, and I'm usually a referee apologist. Or maybe it was 1) again - the rules change when it's overtime. Bizarre stuff.

Honestly, that was a good game to watch on TV even with Childress out.

Melbourne sneaks back into top four after overtime win

Despite a spirited effort without Josh Childress, the Sydney Kings have gone down to Melbourne United, who needed overtime for the second consecutive game before prevailing 105-101. The victory has moved United back above the Kings on the ladder, two wins clear in fourth place.

Watch the Sixers game replay on NBL TV for bizarre reffing. This season has to be the worse for inconsistency and star dazzled refs than any previous season. I watch all games, not just my own team and it is mind boggling. Feel for players and coaches who must struggle to adjust as each ref is doing their own thing so depending on the quarter and ref position it swings around all game.
No leadership and obviously no reviews and no communication as was suggested from last season. Poor all round really.. Players retying their best under weird circumstances.

A very disappointing 5.2k

Music the most annoying ..

Last season they had four games at Melbourne Park and got over 6000 for all of them from memory, so crowds have certainly dropped off, as you'd expect. Atmosphere sounded good though, hopefully they play more there next season.

This was a cracking game to watch, huge shot from Kickert, looked like the Kings had done enough to cause a massive upset. Looking forward to the next game between these two with Childress on deck.