Cairns coach Adam Forde has praised Sydney’s sportsmanship for agreeing to play without a shot clock for the second half of their bizarre NBL nail-biter.
The Kings were leading 48-37 when power problems at the Cairns Convention Centre on Thursday resulted in a 51-minute delay and the shot clock to stop working.
Implausibly, the second half was played without a shot-clock after the condition was agreed to by both coaches.
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Forde admits that if the shoe was on the other foot and his side were in front, he would have argued to be handed the win by default at half-time.
“There were a lot of discussions at half-time and this is where I’ve got to give credit to Sydney,” he said.
“I know if I was in their position, where I’m up 11 at half-time, I’d be arguing the case a bit more (to end the game).
“We wanted to play because we were down. If the game gets called (at half-time), they win.
“I appreciate the amazing sportsmanship shown by all of them.”
After fighting back from a horrible start and a 21-point second-quarter deficit, the Taipans thought they’d forced overtime when Jonah Antonio banked a last-second bomb from just inside half-court, only to be advised — amid wild celebrations — that the shot was released fractionally late, allowing the Kings to squeak home 86-83.
Sydney’s star import guard Jaylen Adams slotted eight straight free throws in the dying minutes, with Cairns players forced to repeatedly foul him knowing he could hold onto possession for as long as he liked.
Forde had no problems with Adams’ tactics but he hopes he never has to experience anything like it again.
“I don’t know if that was the best game or the worst game all in the same,” he said.
“Credit to Sydney – if they wanted to they could have just dribbled the whole game-clock out.
“But they didn’t. They played. Hopefully, we don’t have to experience that again.”
Kings coach Mahmoud Abdelfattah was left breathing a sigh of relief, not just because of the result but also the fact no player was hurt.
As well as the shot clock going out, the stadium’s air conditioning also died, resulting in several sweaty players slipping in the sweltering Far North Queensland heat.
“It was one for the ages and I’m just glad nobody got hurt,” he said.
“The guys sat for close to an hour at halftime.
“I feel like the floor was slippery, guys started to slip and slide.
“To be able to complete the game without any injuries is easier said than done.”
