The Sydney Kings maintained the top position on the National Basketball League ladder with a hard-fought 92-83 win over the Melbourne Tigers Saturday night.

The Kings, who won their first NBL title last season, have won 12 of their 13 games this year and are again clearly the team to beat for the title.

Sydney captain Matthew Nielsen finished with 27 points and 11 rebounds and import Ebi Ere added 26.

Andrew Gaze led the Tigers with 27 points and Dave Thomas chipped in with 17.

Melbourne star Lanard Copeland failed to register a field goal in the contest and finished with just four points.

Sydney never trailed in the game opening up what appeared to be a match-winning 17-point lead by halftime.

With Nielsen and Ere dominating it seemed the Kings would close out an easy win but the Gaze-inspired Tigers had other ideas.

Gaze sparked a second-half revival that saw Melbourne reduce the deficit to just two points early in the final quarter.

With the home crowd behind them and Gaze in vintage form the Tigers loomed as probable winners.

However, the Kings settled with guard CJ Bruton scoring 10 last quarter points to ensure Sydney came away with the win.

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