Wildcats vs Kings Prediction & Tips: NBL27 Round 7

The Perth Wildcats will be out for revenge when they host the Sydney Kings at RAC Arena on Wednesday night to open Round 7 of the NBL27 season.

It's only been 11 days since these teams last met, with Sydney running away with a comfortable 102-81 victory at home. The Kings have now won six consecutive games against Perth, a run that includes last season's playoff series.

But the Wildcats will fancy their chances of turning things around on their home floor, particularly after a thrilling one-point win over Melbourne United last Friday.

There's plenty riding on this one for both teams, and with a few important injury questions still to be answered, it shapes as one of the more interesting games of the round.

Perth Wildcats Preview

It's been a strange couple of weeks for the Wildcats, but they'll be feeling a lot better about themselves after Friday night's dramatic 103-102 victory over Melbourne United.

Perth had been brought back to earth by Sydney the previous weekend, losing by 21 points in a game where they were never really able to get going. To their credit, they responded with a much better performance against United, showing the sort of resilience that has made them so difficult to beat at RAC Arena.

Brandon Knight is beginning to settle into his role after arriving during the season, and his experience gives Perth another option when the offence needs someone to take control. Elijah Pepper has been one of the real success stories of their campaign, while Dylan Windler has also produced some outstanding scoring performances.

One of the biggest differences from the previous meeting with Sydney should be the availability of Kristian Doolittle. The influential forward missed that game with a foot injury but returned against Melbourne, giving the Wildcats another experienced ball-handler, scorer and rebounder.

Jo Lual-Acuil Jr has also been a significant absence with a calf injury. Perth have managed to remain competitive without him, but his availability would make a considerable difference against a Sydney team with plenty of size around the basket.

The Wildcats have generally looked much more comfortable playing in Perth than on the road. They've already produced some impressive home victories, and the atmosphere at RAC Arena should provide a genuine lift for a team looking to make amends for its recent loss to the Kings.

The question is whether Perth can match Sydney's physicality and rebounding over four quarters. They struggled badly in that area last time, and it's something John Rillie will be desperate to address.

Sydney Kings Preview

Sydney have already demonstrated why they're one of the teams to beat again this season, even if they haven't been entirely convincing every week.

The Kings were outstanding against Perth on October 17th, controlling the contest from early in the game and eventually running out 102-81 winners. Kendric Davis, Torrey Craig and Will Johnston were all influential, while Sydney's defensive pressure made it difficult for the Wildcats to find any rhythm.

They backed that up with a commanding 108-82 victory over Illawarra last Thursday, although their momentum was checked by a narrow defeat to Melbourne United on Sunday.

Kendric Davis remains the player Perth will need to contain. He's capable of taking over a game with his scoring, but it's his ability to create opportunities for teammates that makes Sydney particularly dangerous.

Xavier Cooks gives the Kings another dimension with his athleticism and work around the basket, while Andrew Carr has provided a strong presence on the glass. Makuach Maluach is also enjoying an excellent start to the season and has become a genuine threat from the perimeter.

The Kings have been without Matthew Dellavedova because of a calf injury, although his return has been targeted for Round 7. His availability will be worth monitoring, particularly given the experience and defensive pressure he brings to Sydney's backcourt.

What makes this Kings team so difficult to play against is that they don't necessarily need Davis to score 30 points to win. They have multiple players capable of contributing, and their ability to turn defensive stops into quick baskets can change the momentum of a game in a matter of minutes.

Sydney have had Perth's measure for some time now. But Wednesday's game presents a different challenge, particularly if the Wildcats are closer to full strength and can make the most of their home-court advantage.

Wildcats v Kings Betting Tips

There's a strong argument to be made for both sides heading into this matchup.

Sydney have the superior recent head-to-head record, having won six consecutive meetings with Perth. Their 21-point victory less than two weeks ago was comprehensive, and they certainly won't be intimidated by another meeting with the Wildcats.

On the other hand, that result needs some context. Perth were missing two of their most important frontcourt players, and the return of Doolittle should make them a much more competitive outfit.

There's also the home-court factor. Perth have been particularly difficult to beat at RAC Arena, and Friday's win over Melbourne United was another example of their ability to lift in front of their own supporters.

The biggest concern for the Wildcats is Sydney's size and rebounding. If the Kings can dominate the glass and generate second-chance opportunities, Perth could find themselves chasing the game again.

However, I'm expecting a much closer contest this time around. Knight is becoming more comfortable running the offence, Doolittle's return is significant, and the Wildcats should be determined to make a statement after their disappointing performance in Sydney.

Perth Wildcats to Win

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