Courage, determination and a much improved rebounding performance almost proved the difference as the Kings lost in another close finish to more fancied rivals Melbourne United.

It started scrappy, as both the Kings and United missed too many bankable shots.

Kings captain Ben Madgen and star NBA recruit Josh Childress cut sullen figures in slings and suits on the sidelines.

When stand-in captain Tom Garlepp shot an air ball, it was symptomatic of the first few minutes of play.

"Wake the hell up," screamed frustrated Kings coach Damian Cotter from the sidelines.

Kendrick Perry and Daniel Joyce did just that.

With Perry penetrating Untied's defensive line, Joyce acted as his second in command, potting three three pointers in a row to push the Kings out to a six point lead at quarter time.

United looked flat-footed as they started the second quarter, with Garlepp urging the Kings to stamp their authority on the game, and as the quarter wore on Daniel Kickert started finding hoops, netting 12 points to bring them back into the fold.

Fouls continued to cost the Kings, as United guard Jordan McCrae brought United within four points with three minutes to go until half-time.

Hero turned to villain quickly as McRae basically tackled Kings guard Jason Cadee, earning him some time on the sidelines and a Kings margin of ten at the break, with the home side up 55 to 45.

The Kings dominance waned in the second half, its offence, so powerful in the first period, tempered by frustrations over foul calls.

Coach Cotter once again looked exasperated on the sidelines, crying foul as he thundered his foot on the floor after a clear grab inside the key was missed.

The frustration clearly instilled determination in Cadee, who spent this second last game of the season making up for the time spent off the court, nabbing a snappy intercept to give the Kings a buffer of four.

But fouls continued to go against the Kings and Cotter's frustration was replicated on the face of Joyce, after he a foul was called in which he claimed he had blocked the ball.

The call would cost the Kings the lead, United drawing level at 71-all with two minutes to go in the third term and pushing out in front for the first time at 74-72 at three-quarter time. Garlepp and Cadee led the way for the kings with 16 points a piece, and seven and four assists respectively.

It was basket for basket in the final term, with fouls once again dominating play. Six minutes from time and the Kings were throwing everything they had at the United offence. When Perry went flying over the top of Melbourne's Nate Tomlinson, it showed how much the Kings wanted this win.

Forward Angus Brandt levelled the scores for the Kings and with two on the clock it looked like they would pull off a respectable end to a forgettable season.

As Perry pounded forward to the hoop with only a minute remaining, victory looked to be within Kings grasp, but Kickert responded immediately, snuffing out the difference.

It was Perry again who would have the last shot, a big hopeful lob from well behind the three point line, but out it bounced over the sideline, just like much of the Kings season.

It finished 91-88 to Melbourne, Garlepp the gallant captain for the Kings with 22 points for the game and Kickert the star for Melbourne with 19.