Sydney coach Andrew Gaze admits the Kings are under mounting pressure to keep hold of a top four spot after Sunday's 20-point trouncing from Perth.
The Kings crashed to their third consecutive home loss by double figures, dropping from first to third on the NBL ladder with five games remaining.
The Wildcats (15-9) leapt into top spot, titleholders Melbourne United (13-8) are second and the Kings (14-9) are feeling the heat with Brisbane (12-11), Adelaide (12-11) and Illawarra (11-12) all looking to capitalise on any slip-up in the run to the finals.
Even the New Zealand Breakers (10-12) can't be counted out after their big home win over Brisbane on Sunday.
The Kings face a high stakes clash with the Bullets in Brisbane on Friday and Gaze has plenty to work on after the heavy loss to the Cats.
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On the plus side, the Kings took care of the Bullets in Brisbane two days prior to Sunday's pummelling.
"We've got a short period of time before the playoffs and no margin for error," Gaze said.
"We have to prepare and learn, and quickly move ahead. If we don't move ahead we don't give ourselves the best chance.
"We have to do a lot of work again against a tough opponent, so it's an important week we have to prepare for. It's like a little finals series."
In the final season of a three-year contract, Gaze failed to take the Kings to the finals in his first two years with the club and this season's playing roster is the strongest he has had during his tenure.
The Kings drew 8729 spectators to Sunday's clash and Gaze was frustrated his team was unable to deliver for the third game in a row.
"We've been poor at home and it's disappointing because the attendances have been fantastic and you can feel the crowd wanting to be a part of it and wanting to help us, and we've let them down," he said.
"Teams have played really well against us and we haven't been able to get any teams on a downer."
