Cole Anthony has destroyed Kendric Davis at both ends to pilot Melbourne United to an upset 105-95 NBL victory over the Sydney Kings.
Former NBA ace Anthony compiled 30 points, eight assists and six rebounds at John Cain Arena on Sunday to help lift United from ninth to seventh spot.
Fellow import Josh Oduro scored 27 points and Luke Travers added 19 as Melbourne snapped a two-game losing streak.
"We were doing some good things in the first quarter but didn't get the reward," United coach Jacob Chance said.
"There were good signs early, then we doubled down and trusted that at halftime.
"It proved dividends at the start of the third."
Americans Torrey Craig (22 points, 13 boards) and Andrew Carr (18, 11) led the charge for the Kings, but Kendric Davis endured a forgettable evening, finishing with 12 points on 3-of-16 shooting and five turnovers.
"I just thought we were a step off it defensively," Sydney coach Brian Goorjian said.
"It leads to trouble when we're not contesting shots."
The hosts knocked down their first seven threes and held sway 32-31 when Anthony hit a floater on the quarter-time siren.
The topsy-turvy opening term featured 13 lead changes and there were six more in the second.
Anthony (17 first-half points) showcased his full bag of NBA-honed tricks and was getting on top in his marquee match-up with Davis (six) to put Melbourne in front 56-51 at the main break.
United started the third stanza with a 9-2 bang to finally break the arm-wrestle open.
Sydney went stone cold on offence, even sitting their three star players - Davis, Craig and Xavier Cooks - for an extended spell in search for a spark.
Melbourne buried 11 of their first 17 three-point range attempts to blow their buffer out to 75-59.
The Kings closed to single digits on a Craig triple, but Anthony had all the answers.
Anthony blocked a Davis jumpshot, scored twice over his point guard rival, then hit a long three as United reasserted control down the stretch.