Shane Heal’s first game as an NBL head coach ended in victory as the Sydney Kings held off the visiting Townsville Crocodiles 71-69 on Sunday.

Barking orders, twitching with every play and encouraging his side throughout, Heal’s presence had the desired effect.

Inspired by Ben Madgen, Julian Khazzouh and Luke Martin (all 15 points), the Kings recovered from a lacklustre first half to run over the Crocs in the third term.

After racing 13 points in front after at the last break the home side had to withstand a fierce Crocs comeback to record their slender two-point win.

Youngster Todd Blanchfield was Townsville’s best with 15 points and five rebounds, while Jacob Holmes (14 points, 9 rebounds) and Luke Schenscher (11 points 7 rebounds) provided support.

Early on it looked like it was going to be a homecoming to forget for former champion player Heal.

In a poor first quarter, where the Kings shot just 25 per cent from the field, stage fright seemed to have swept through the team.

But when the visitors ran out to an early eight-point lead Heal implemented a full-court press that stemmed the flow and threw the Crocs off their game.

Following a rugged second term that knotted scores at 32-32 at half-time the Kings emerged from the sheds a new team, a 17-3 run setting up a 60-47 lead after 30 minutes.

When Anatoly Bose stole the ball off Peter Crawford on the halfway line and drove for a lay-up it epitomised the Kings newfound belief.

The Crocs were at sea and the Kings were firmly in control.

But, with victory apparently assured for the Kings, the Crocs closed within four points with 66 seconds on the clock and threatened to pull off a miraculous comeback.

Despite a nervy final minute, the Kings held on for a well-deserved victory as Khazzouh controlled the boards.