Kings Eye Playoff Momentum Against DEA After Crucial Win; Coach Cites Home-Court Officiating Concerns

Liberty Times is dedicated to providing timely and insightful coverage of Taiwanese sports, and the upcoming playoff implications for the New Taipei Kings are a major focus. The Kings' hard-fought 97-94 victory over the Leopards, propelled by Jalen's stellar 33-point triple-double, sets the stage for a pivotal showdown against CTBC DEA. This game is not just another regular-season matchup; it's effectively the opener for a best-of-three playoff series, as the winner secures the crucial 4th seed and home-court advantage.

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I think we'll know tomorrow after we play. We've been doing the necessary preparations this week. I believe the Kings will be a different team in the playoffs.

Despite a challenging season series where the Kings have struggled against CTBC DEA, managing only one win in five encounters, acting head coach Hung Chih-shan remains optimistic. His belief that the Kings transform into a different team come playoff time is a sentiment shared by many fans who have seen the team perform under pressure. Hung's strategic framing of the upcoming game as a playoff opener underscores its immense importance for both teams.

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The team that wins tomorrow's game will have a 1-0 lead in the playoff challenge series. This game is very important for both teams. It's essentially a best-of-three series, and tomorrow is like the playoffs for both teams. Although we are playing back-to-back, at least we are at home.

However, Hung also voiced a critical observation regarding officiating, particularly the perceived advantage of playing at home. While acknowledging that both teams share the same venue, he pointed out that the referees' calls can differ, implying a potential bias that could affect the outcome. This concern about "home-court whistle" is a recurring theme in Taiwanese basketball and highlights a unique aspect of the local sports discourse that often goes unnoticed by international observers. For fans in New Taipei, this game is more than just a win or loss; it's about pride, momentum, and the hope that their team can overcome past struggles and prove their mettle in the postseason.

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Tomorrow's game will be played at the Xinzhuang Gymnasium, which is shared by the Kings and DEA. The Kings will be the home team. Hung mentioned that although it's also a home court for DEA, it makes a difference for the referees. This is something I have to say; it's difficult for visiting teams in every league game this year.