The upset bid of Kai Sotto and Adelaide fell short against Sydney, bowing 77-84, in the 2021-22 National Basketball League season, Saturday at Adelaide Entertainment Centre.
Sotto, who came off the bench, started the final quarter strong, scoring five points in a 9-2 spurt cutting a 64-51 lead down to six with six minutes and six seconds left.
The 7-foot-3 Filipino got eight points on 3-of-4 shooting with four rebounds and a block in 16 minutes of action.
The Kings though would answer back.
Up 72-66 with 4:30 remaining, Xavier Cooks caught fire, knocking down a trey that instigated a 12-3 rally to put the 36ers away for good.
Cooks ended up with 22 points on 10-of-12 shooting from the field with nine rebounds and three blocks.
Supporting Cooks were Dejan Vasiljevic (15 points), Jarell Martin (13 points and six rebounds), and Jaylen Adams (12 points and five assists).
Sydney went up to 16-7 while dropping Adelaide to 7-16. The 36ers suffered their third straight loss.
Daniel Johnson paced the 36ers with 20 points, seven rebounds, and four assists while Hyrum Harris and Todd Withers got 10 points apiece.
Adelaide looks to return to the win column on Monday when it takes on Brisbane still Adelaide Entertainment Centre.
