{"id":480969,"date":"2026-02-15T05:08:10","date_gmt":"2026-02-15T05:08:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/480969\/"},"modified":"2026-02-15T05:08:10","modified_gmt":"2026-02-15T05:08:10","slug":"wildcats-throw-down-mvp-gauntlet-doolittle-v-davis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/480969\/","title":{"rendered":"Wildcats throw down MVP gauntlet: Doolittle v Davis"},"content":{"rendered":"

AAP.<\/p>\n

Perth Wildcats coach John Rillie has lit the fuse for an explosive battle between his main man Kristian Doolittle and Sydney Kings superstar Kendric Davis.<\/p>\n

American gun Davis is in rare form for the ladder-leading Kings, scoring at will as he and five-time winner Bryce Cotton wage a two-man battle for NBL MVP honours.<\/p>\n

But Rillie believes in-form forward Doolittle, one of the league’s most versatile defenders, is the man to put a stop to the Kings’ lightning-quick point guard.<\/p>\n

The pair face off when title favourites Sydney host fourth-placed Perth in a blockbuster finals prelude at Qudos Bank Arena on Sunday.<\/p>\n

“What I’m really looking forward to is they have a player that there’s a lot of speculation around being an MVP,” Rillie said.<\/p>\n

“I have a guy in that change room that I think is pretty good defensively, so let’s go and see what happens.”<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

Rillie has repeatedly pushed Doolittle’s name forward in defensive player of the year conversations, questioning why South East Melbourne’s John Brown III seemingly has the award wrapped up.<\/p>\n

A battle with Davis presents the Wildcats’ gun import with the perfect opportunity to press his case.<\/p>\n

“Straight one-on-one,” Rillie said.<\/p>\n

“I know Davis is from Houston so maybe a little one-on-one, like ‘Doo’ said the other week, blacktop and let’s just see.”<\/p>\n

Doolittle starred with 28 points, seven rebounds and six assists in the Wildcats’ 94-75 thumping of Brisbane on Friday night.<\/p>\n

Just hours earlier, Davis top-scored with 24 points as Sydney swept aside Illawarra 120-94, adding nine assists, five rebounds and three steals in less than 26 minutes on court.<\/p>\n

He was rested for the final quarter with the result all but confirmed.<\/p>\n

“It was certainly not part of the plan, but it’s certainly helpful,” Kings coach Brian Goorjian said.<\/p>\n

“He’s been carrying such a heavy load in all aspects.”<\/p>\n

Sydney (22-9) have won nine straight games and face a Wildcats (20-11) outfit in the midst of their own hot streak, with nine wins in their last 10 outings.<\/p>\n

The Kings have won the two previous battles between the two sides by an average margin of 25.5 points.<\/p>\n

“They’ve beaten us very convincingly a couple of times,” Rillie said.<\/p>\n

“They’re playing very well right now and there’s a lot of hype about what they’re doing and what they’re achieving.<\/p>\n

“So we get to go over there, go on the road, see where we’re at … there’s no better opportunity than playing the hottest team in the league right now.”<\/p>\n

The Wildcats are hopeful Ben Henshall will be cleared to return from an ankle injury against Sydney after he sat out the win over Brisbane.<\/p>\n

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