Andrew Bogut's much-anticipated NBL debut hasn't helped the Sydney Kings to break their Adelaide hoodoo, with a late 36ers charge securing a 94-83 win.
Bogut fouled out with 90 seconds to go on Saturday after scoring six points on two-of-nine shooting.
But he made up for his offensive lack of clout with a game-high 14 rebounds, 10 in the first quarter, four blocks and four assists.
The vast majority of a bumper 10,761 crowd, the Kings' third-highest home attendance, left Qudos Bank Arena disappointed after Sydney crashed down the stretch.
Sydney led by six in the final quarter but a 19-2 Adelaide run to end the game delivered the South Australian side's 10th-straight victory over the Kings.
"I just thought we did a great job of executing and also, defensively, we got some stops," Adelaide coach Joey Wright said.
For Adelaide, captain Daniel Johnson scored 22 points and collected 10 boards while Nathan Sobey contributed 21.
Bogut endured a tough first few minutes by missing his first four shots, while the former NBA star's direct opponent Johnson coolly produced Adelaide's first eight points.
"I thought he (Bogut) rebounded the ball really well," Kings coach Andrew Gaze said.
"Like anyone, I think there was a few nerves there - he doesn't show it a lot.
"I think he showed great leadership throughout the game," Gaze said.
"He, along with everyone, will look at his own performance and say there's a few breakdowns there.
"There's a few missed opportunities and realise that we've got a lot more to give and he's got a lot more to give individually .
"He's all about winning. He couldn't give a rat's toss bag about anything other than the final result.
"He will be very disappointed because of that and he'll probably self evaluate and understand that he's got to do better, but I thought there was some really good signs there and it's a positive start," Gaze said.
Point guard Jerome Randle kept the Kings in the game with 28 points on 11 of 21 shooting, with recruits Daniel Kickert and Brian Bowen contributing 14 and 13 respectively.
Adelaide were in control for the majority of the opening-round clash, with Johnson, Sobey and Anthony Drmic (14 points, seven rebounds) leading the charge.
