Heat’s Raftopoulos anticipating Raiders revenge mission

Creon Raftopoulos saw his side extend their impressive start to the season last weekend, thanks to a 95-78 victory over the previously unbeaten UCP Marjon Plymouth Raiders.

Coach Raftopoulos knows that Sunday’s BBL Cup quarter final match-up against the Raiders will be difficult for them, especially with the Raiders now likely to be playing like a wounded animal following that defeat.

“I think it’ll be a tougher test for us,” predicted Raftopoulos. “Gavin Love is going to be looking for a response and with the talent that team has, we’re going to have to be at our ultimate best to repeat a victory, whether it’s by one point or ten.”

‘Talent’ is something the Raiders are full of, particularly on the offensive end where they are running the leagues best offense which includes the BBL’s top scorer, Jeremy Bell, who put up 19 in the loss to the Heat.

The Surrey Heat Head Coach was pleased with his side’s work on Bell in the last meeting but feels the 6’1 guard may well be looking to prove a point in the rematch.

“We know he’s going to come back with a point to prove. He took double the amount of shots that any of his team mates took. I’m much happier with him shooting the ball then being the playmaker he can be.

“The thing about having a talented player like Jeremy Bell is that you can either let him get all of his points and try and limit everybody else or try and stop him as best you can.”

The Heat’s defensive performance against the Raiders came from solid teamwork, something that has been the focus of the Heat’s season and has led to them holding teams to only 71ppg.

“I think the key to a lot of the success we’ve had is due to team chemistry,” suggested Raftopoulos, looking back at the season so far. “We’ve been keeping our feet firmly on the ground. We’ve been told ‘after you beat Sheffield, now here’s the big test – you’ve got to play Worcester’ and then after we beat Worcester it’s ‘now here’s the real test – you’ve got to play Glasgow’ and after we beat Glasgow it was like ‘well here’s the next test, they’ve got to beat Plymouth’.

“I think that’s been a motivational thing in the locker room: whenever we’ve done something good, there’s always questions about whether we’re good or lucky. “

But Raftopoulos isn’t concerned with what ‘they’ say:

“I don’t know how many of my players other teams would want to have. We’re just doing what we need to do.”

And who would blame Raftopoulos for saying that? So far, it’s worked.

The Surrey Heat host the Plymouth Raiders at the Surrey Sports Park on Saturday 3rd November. Tip-off is at 7:00PM.