A three-point barrage from import Didi Louzada has inspired NBL leaders Sydney to a 104-85 victory over defending champions Perth in their top-of-the-table clash.
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A white-hot Louzada hit seven of his 11 long-range attempts on Sunday at Qudos Bank Arena, including three in a row in a stunning third-quarter burst.
The No.35 pick in this year's NBA draft finished the game with a career-high 28 points, six rebounds and two assists before succumbing to cramps.
Kings coach Will Weaver said Louzada, signed under the league's Next Stars program, was still coming to grips with his first season as a professional.
"It's not like he's some soft 20-year-old. He sticks his nose in and has a crack every night. As a result, he's been cracked a few times," Weaver said.
"The offensive end is gravy. The defensive end is so special. He would've guarded every guard they had at some stage and it's a pretty special effort."
The swingman was still outpointed by Wildcats star Bryce Cotton, who single-handedly kept his team in the contest with a season-high 36 points.
His tally is also the league's highest of the season so far.
But the former league MVP was left to fight the battle alone with big man Nick Kay the only other Perth player to reach double figures.
For Sydney, star guard Casper Ware chimed in with 25 points, while Brad Newley and Jae'Sean Tate added 23 and 13 respectively.
Sydney had the jump on Perth early off the back of hot shooting by Louzada, who scored eight points in a closely fought opening quarter.
His scoring was matched by the class of Cotton, who connected three times from long range on his way to 18 first-half points.
Only a buzzer-beating heave from Louzada separated the two teams at halftime.
That all changed in an explosive third period from the home side, when Louzada blew the game open with his consecutive treys.
His third bomb drew the biggest roar of the night from the heaving 9665 crowd.
Louzada's dead-eye shooting proved contagious, with Newley, Ware, Tate and Shaun Bruce raining threes on their stunned counterparts in the second half.
By the end of the quarter, Sydney's lead blew out to 15 points and they were never headed despite Cotton's best efforts.
"Third quarters have been good for us all season - really disappointing how we came out," Wildcats coach Trevor Gleeson said.
"They were taking the fight to us and we really didn't answer. They got on a roll dropping three quickly. Disappointing we didn't answer the challenge."
Australian Associated Press
