Basketball On The Internet.

THE perfect game? There's maybe no such thing. But you can have the perfect shooting game and Daniel "Kicks" Kickert did just that last night for United in Sydney, becoming just the sixth NBL player to achieve the feat.

Kicks hit a career-best 26 points in Melbourne's 100-90 road win, his 10-of-10 field goals including 3-of-3 threes, plus 3-of-3 free throws.

Josh Childress' long-awaited return gave Sydney the pluck it occasionally has lacked, the big fella going off for 27 points at 60 per cent, with eight rebounds, three assists, one steal and foul blocks in a fairly comprehensive all-round game.

United just had too many weapons, Kickert (below) leading the way but Hakim Warrick rising to the challenge of facing his NBA buddy and Chris Goulding continuing on from Sunday.

Tonight: CLOSING the year, Cairns hosts New Zealand and the "house full" sign once again is up. It should be a great night for fans of the Orangemen but their ability to contain the WMD, Corey Webster, will be pivotal in how this unfolds. A Taipans win would be no huge surprise, but tipping against New Zealand right now is risky, especially with import Cairns playmaker Markel Starks (hamstring) out.

HERE'S a typically interesting NBL fact from @nblfacts as fans head down to The Swamp for Townsville's rematch with Illawarra. The Hawks have played in the past five New Year's Eve matches and been swept by a total of 45 points, or an average of 9.0. That's right. NYE is NOT a happy night for the Hawks but a big one for their opponents, who have been Perth, Melbourne (twice), Sydney and Adelaide in that 0-5 run.

The Crocodiles hosted Sydney last year in this fixture, and won a thriller 93-92. Does that mean much tonight? Hell no. They're just a few interesting facts. Tonight should be a gem, Illawarra established now as a top-three team, Townsville clinging to a long-shot at the top four. Can't go past the Hawks but it should close the year on an appropriate high.

Last night MELBOURNE UNITED 100 (Kickert 26, Warrick 21, Goulding 19; Majok 12 rebs; Holt 9 assts) d SYDNEY KINGS 90 (Childress 27, Garlepp 22, Brandt 15; Childress, Brandt 8 rebs; Cadee 6 assts) at The King-hit, Olympic Park Stadium.

Goodnight and all the best until we cross paths again in 2016 ... or tomorrow, whichever comes first!