It has taken nine games, but Perth Wildcats pair Bryce Cotton and Casey Prather have finally learned how to coexist on the court.
The pair combined for 50 of their team's tally of 101 points in a 27-point win over the Sydney Kings on Friday, but it had taken some time for the combination to gel.
The reigning premiers had hoped that Jaron Johnson or Andre Ingram would support Prather in offence, but neither worked out and both departed for different reasons.
Prather averaged more than 21 points in 17 games before Cotton arrived in round 14. In the first eight games after Cotton's arrival - before Friday night's win - Prather's average dropped to just 13 points per game.
Cotton, who has played 23 NBA games, took over as Perth's go-to man and has averaged more than 22 points per game since arriving.
Wildcats coach Trevor Gleeson said that it takes time for players to gel on the court.
"It's a time thing, when you haven't played that much together," he said.
"They haven't spent that much time together; but they started clicking, started looking for each other, feeding off each other's energy.
"You can do that after you play a little bit. You get to know their habits and what they like to do. I thought the synergy behind them tonight was fantastic."
Prather, who also missed the round-15 away loss to Cairns due to hamstring tightness, top-scored on Friday night with 29 points, his highest score since round 10. Cotton contributed 21.
Gleeson questioned the tactics of the Adelaide 36ers who, assured of top spot rested their starting players late in the game against Cairns on Thursday night, allowing the Taipans to storm home and win.
The result could also cost the Wildcats - second after defeating Sydney - a place in the finals if they lose in Melbourne on Sunday and other results don't go their way.
"You have to get into the finals with momentum," Gleeson said.
"We have been pretty fortunate to win two championships here in Perth - you have to have momentum going into the finals."
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