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Sydney thump Cairns to launch NBL title defence
Kendric Davis scored 26 points and added six assists as seven Kings reached double figures in a 111-90 win.
On Sunday, the Sydney Kings opened their NBL title defense with a 111-90 victory over the Cairns Taipans, as superstar guard Kendric Davis led the charge with 26 points and six assists at Afterpay Arena.
Cairns, one of last season's stragglers, initially ambushed the reigning champions with a 14-8 start, though the Kings awoke from their early slumber to take control.
Sydney led 32-26 at quarter-time and 59-53 at halftime, with Davis instrumental and new import centre Andrew Carr efficient, before a 13-2 scoring run extended the advantage to 90-73 at three-quarter time.
With Davis, Skipper Xavier Cooks, and Torrey Craig firing in the final term, the winning margin swelled past the 20-point mark, sealing the comprehensive victory for the Kings.
Meanwhile, the Breakers kicked off their NBL season with a clinical 95-81 victory over the Illawarra Hawks at Auckland's Spark Arena on Sunday, remaining barely troubled throughout.