BBL on Friday: Form sides clash in Worcester

by UK American Sports Fans

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Tonight, there are three games  to be played out in the BBL Championship, but the pick of the bunch sees two of the in-form sides in the BBL go head-to-head as Cheshire Phoenix make the trip to league leaders Worcester Wolves.

After a first round BBL Trophy win for the Phoenix over the Leicester Riders last Sunday, added to their run of results since the start of December, the Wolves cannot afford to take their eye off the ball.

The last time these two sides met was relatively early in the season, when Phoenix, even before their roster changes, put the scares into Paul James’ side as the game went to overtime. Fortunately for Wolves, they secured a 94-90 win in that extra five-minute period, but the pressure to perform in front of the BBL TV cameras could make or break either side.

Chris Pearce will be a welcome addition to the Phoenix roster, helping with their rotation off the bench; something that could be an inspired move as the run-in to the playoffs edges nearer and the favourable draw they received in the BBL Trophy quarter-finals – keeping players as healthy and as fresh as possible could be vital now.

Also on the schedule for tonight, Newcastle Eagles host the Plymouth Raiders.

Raiders this week parted ways with Shane Walker – days after Trevor Setty also left the club, but picked up Chris Hines and Sam Martin to help steer the side to a 90-81 victory over Durham Wildcats in the first round of the BBL Trophy.

Newcastle were left sweating last Friday as they held off Phoenix for a three-point win at home, and despite the comfortable BBL Trophy win over Essex Leopards – those sweats from last week may just make an appearance again.

Plymouth were the first side to defeat Newcastle back in October, with a 89-87 overtime win at the Pavilions; however, a home support may have to haul them over the line as Paul Gause and Scott Martin are thought to be missing from tonight’s lineup.

The third game on offer, also in the North East, is between Durham Wildcats and Surrey United – who, after getting their first win of the season, came crashing back down to Earth after their loss to Bristol Academy Flyers in the first round of the BBL Trophy.

A win for the Wildcats would help keep pace and put pressure on Glasgow Rocks, who currently lie in eighth spot, and would give momentum towards Sunday’s game at the Copper Box where they take on the London Lions.

  • You can watch tonight’s BBL fixture between Worcester Wolves and Cheshire Phoenix live on BBL TV – which is now available foe the remainder of the season for only £14.99!

Upcoming Games:

  • 24th Jan – Worcester Wolves v Cheshire Phoenix
  • 31st Jan – Esh Group Eagles Newcastle v Leicester Riders
  • 6th Feb – London Lions v Durham Wildcats
  • 15th Feb – Plymouth Raiders v Glasgow Rocks
  • 23rd Feb – Surrey United v Birmingham Knights
  • 28th Feb – Worcester Wolves v Newcastle Eagles