Basketball On The Internet.

JEROME Randle was lining up for two free throws with 18.9 seconds left last night when a somewhat muted chant of "MVP" rained down from Titanium Security Arena's northern stands.

It's the kind of chant you'd routinely hear from the home fans for Stephen Curry at a Golden State NBA game, or for LeBron James in Cleveland but it was almost an embarrassed attempt as the 36ers completed their 96-89 win over a plucky Sydney Kings outfit.

It may have dwindled out but it is the first time anyone has ever attempted to spur such a call in Adelaide town and probably should have come as no surprise after the magical game Randle produced.

He scored 10-10-12-9 for an NBL season-best 41 points, topping the 40-point hauls by Illawarra's Kevin Lisch and Perth's Jermaine Beal.

But here's the amazing stuff. Randle shot it at 76.2 per cent (16-of-21) from the floor and was 71.4 from the 3-point line (5-of-7) and in that milestone total, he shot just four free throws and was 4-of-4.

No-one at the Kings could do anything to stop him, even Indiana Faithfull grabbing a handful of his uniform didn't slow him down.

He became the first player in NBL history to shoot 75 per cent from the field with more than 20 attempts and including five 3-pointers.

It also was the first 40-point game by a 36er since Adam Ballinger had 46 in December, 2007 and keeps Randle at the top of the NBL scorers table.

Amazing as this too will seem, no player in a 36ers uniform has ever led the NBL in scoring before. (That's with the exception of Reg Biddings in 1982 but that was with Adelaide City Eagles, the 36ers' forerunner.)

It was a pretty special night for the opening of the revamped venue, Sydney in control for almost three quarters, ahead 65-55 late in the third before the onslaught came.

Ebi Ere (above) was huge in that too. It's a lovely coincidence to have watched him go off for 12 points in a quarter of the 2008 semi finals for Brisbane Bullets against Sydney Kings on Fox Classics the other night.

Even remarked yesterday how it was great to see him in his prime when he could go off for 12 in a quarter instead of a game.

Well guess what? Ere had 12 in the last quarter against the Kings again and 19 for the game in his best performance as a 36er.

Josh Childress also ran back into form with 27 points at 65 per cent for the Kings, the crowd, just 20 shy of 7,000 choosing to cast him as the villain after he was the beneficiary of a foul call against Anthony Petrie. Why the ref wasn't the villain escapes me but perhaps the crowd was just warming up for United tomorrow.

Tonight: NEW Zealand now is a game behind the 36ers so beating Townsville becomes a "must win" scenario at The Swamp. The Crocs have Corey Maynard back but Corey Webster is the man who will be on a mission. The Breakers simply must win.

THE Hawks haven't won in Perth since they were playing with a lace-up leather ball on outside courts and tonight's quest is made no easier with Kirk Penney ruled out with a hamstring injury. Illawarra is the gun side at present but Penney's absence may just put this beyond reach.

Last night: ADELAIDE 36ERS 96 (Randle 41, Ere 19, Creek 15; Walker, Petrie 7 rebs; Gibson 7 assts) d SYDNEY KINGS 89 (Childress 27, Garlepp 16, Cadee 14, Prewster 10; Brandt 7 rebs; Cadee, Garlepp 4 assts) at The Fortress, Titanium Security Arena.