Kings guard Luke Kendall staged one of the best games of his career to give Sydney a 115-107 overtime victory over the Melbourne Tigers at the Sydney Entertainment Centre.

The win takes the Kings to 18 successes from 20 games, their third win this season over Melbourne and a clear break in the National Basketball League title race.

Before the biggest crowd of the season of 5,182, the Kings had to come back in the last minute of regulation time to tie the score.

Spurred by the standing crowd, Sydney forced Melbourne into overtime errors and shut them out of the match.

Although the Kings led 51-47 at halftime, it was still anybody's game

The scores had not varied by more than a couple of points throughout the half with both teams guilty of loose and over-eager shooting.

Sydney's better homecourt record against the Tigers and their double success in Melbourne earlier this season had boosted their confidence and it showed in the variety of shots attempted.

Chris Anstey and new American import Sean Lampley were the major players for Melbourne in edging to a 22-21 first-quarter lead.

The introduction of long-range specialist BJ Carter just before halftime sparked the Kings to the front as Carter, Dontaye Draper and Russell Hinder all converted for major points.

Both teams started the second half at the same frantic pace of the opening session in a non-stop battle for superiority.

Former King David Barlow snatched seven quick points for Melbourne to pull back the Sydney team's lead but the Kings' defence held out to end the third quarter 75-70 in front.

Barlow continued to be the danger, taking Melbourne to the front midway through the final quarter and setting the stage for a dramatic last minute.

With 13 seconds left and Melbourne three points in front, Kendall sent the match into overtime with last gasp bucket.

The extra time became a formality as the fired-up Kings ran away with the game with a 16-8 run.

Kendall finished with 24 points and Draper 19 while Anstey headed the Tigers with 26 and Barlow 21.

Kings coach Brian Goorjian said he had a sense all day it was going to be a special game.

"I haven't enjoyed so many magic moments like that since the Kings won the premiership. I thought Kendall was brilliant in the final minutes, had a great game and executed really well," he said.

Kendall, who missed the 2002/03 title win because of a knee injury, said he realised it was a huge game and knew that a win would push them a bit further in front.

"In my final shot to tie the score I had three Melbourne players around me and was hoping for a foul but suddenly it opened up in the last seconds and allowed me a scoop shot at the basket," he said.

"I especially enjoy playing against Melbourne because I learnt there as a junior."

Melbourne coach Al Westover said his team had chances to win but were suffering from the tough schedule in which they had played seven games in the last 21 days.

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