South East Melbourne Phoenix have scored an undermanned win for the ages while potentially ending the three-peat hopes of the Sydney Kings on a wild NBL night which also featured the Illawarra Hawks bouncing back out west.
Both the Phoenix and Hawks were two of the biggest underdogs of the NBL season on Thursday, with South East Melbourne horribly shorthanded and on a run of losing eight of the last nine matches by an average of 25 points.
The Hawks went to Perth to take on a Wildcats team on a six-game winning streak having lost their last three this season, and 24 of 27 at RAC Arena over the past 12 years.
Neither team were prepared to accept their fate, though.
The Phoenix outplayed the Kings from start to finish to win 104-98 before the Hawks won 95-77, just the fourth time in 28 attempts they've prevailed at Perth's home since 2012.
It keeps both in the race for a top-six finish but for the Kings, it could well end their realistic hopes of a run at a third straight championship.
Sydney were the shortest of favourites given South East Melbourne were missing imports Alan Williams, Gary Browne and Abdel Nader on top of key pair Craig Moller and Matt Kenyon.
But the Kings barely gave a yelp and have lnow ost seven of their last nine games to be 11-13, clinging to fifth position.
While first-year Kings coach Mahmoud Abdelfattah tried to stay positive, he made it clear it's up to his players to lift starting on Sunday at home to Melbourne United.
"They just have to be more physical and play up to their standards," he said.
"I feel they're short-changing themselves at the end of the day. They have to be willing to learn from it as individuals.
"The coaches can only do so much and can only want it so much, but we can't want it for them. They just have to be out there and want it, it's as simple as that."
The Phoenix won with only six fully rostered players to improve to 10-14 and keep their top-six prospects alive.
Captain Mitch Creek stood tall once more with 31 points and 10 rebounds, but had teammates along for the ride.
That included development players Kody Stattmann (16 points) and Luke Rosendale (eight), and emerging guards Ben Ayre (23) and Owen Foxwell (12, six assists).
There was a lot for coach Mike Kelly to be proud about after such a rough run.
"I just think the guys were single-minded in their effort and intent, and then made a bunch of shots," he said.
"Mitch Creek has led this team the last few weeks through the downs and the downs, and a couple of ups, and he was phenomenal again.
"He got to see some pay off because a bunch of guys came with him so it was just super fun to watch."
