The Sydney Kings overcame their biggest semi-final hurdle with a 124-107 National Basketball League win over the Townsville Crocodiles at the Swamp.

Townsville was lucky to scrape into the semis under the lucky loser rule and desperately needed to win at home in front of a notoriously parochial crowd.

The remaining games of the best-of-three series will be in Sydney.

It was always going to be a grudge match, with the coaches admitting they're not the best of friends and the Kings still smarting after the Crocs ousted them from the 2001 playoffs.

The Crocs put the bite on in the first quarter, with star import Wayne Turner leading them to a 27-22 advantage after 12 minutes.

A strong performance from Kavossy Franklin boosted the Kings in the second, helping them briefly to hold the lead before slipping back 49-46 at the break.

The third quarter was a passionate arm wrestle, the Kings surging ahead in the final minutes to build a four-point lead.

Sydney's Shane Heal put in a massive effort with 11 points in one quarter, while Pat Reidy stood out for the Crocs.

The Crocodiles seemed to fall apart in the fourth; they missed too many shots, letting the Kings streak ahead to take the match by 17 points.

Chris Williams led the scoring for the Kings with 26 points, followed by Matthew Neilsen and Kavossy Franklin, both on 25.

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