The Friday BBL Preview: 15th November 2013

Three games coming your way on Friday night in the BBL Championship, as Sheffield Sharks visit the Copper Box in the selected BBL TV game, the Manchester Giants visit Newcastle Eagles hoping to pull another rabbit out of the hat, whilst Worcester Wolves welcome Surrey United as the visitors need a victory to prevent losing their first head-to-head.

Sharks @ Lions (7:30pm tip-off)

Sheffield produced a stunning display last weekend over Worcester Wolves, which now has allowed Atiba Lyons’ men to leap frog Paul James’ side and tie with Leicester Riders at the top of the table. It will be a difficult test for them tonight as London Lions have one of the best home records in the league, and are in a great run of four league victories on the bounce. However, only a fortnight ago the two sides clashed in the BBL Cup which saw tonight’s visitors to the Copper Box Arena progress into the quarter-finals; the question is can that home court advantage work in their favour?

  • It’s live on BBL TV tonight, if you’re signed up that is – if not you can still view the game individually for £9.99 or subscribe now for the remainder of the season whilst you can for £29.99. Click here for more details.

Giants @ Eagles (7:30pm tip-off)

After an amazing turnaround in the third quarter by the Giants on Sunday night at home to Plymouth Raiders, it showed their tenacity can stand firm in the face of adversity, and if they can tap into those reserves again, Newcastle Eagles could find themselves with a fight on their hands. The Eagles return to Sport Central after a three-week break – their last outing here saw them lose to the Wolves, but a demoliton job on Surrey United last Sunday will have no doubt eased the North East side into preparations ahead of the Christmas period.

United @ Wolves (7:30pm tip-off)

It’s still a winless record for Jack Majewski’s Surrey side as they head to Worcester Arena in Friday’s final game. Both sides met in their first competitive game of the season, which saw Paul James’ team walk away with an emphatic 117-60 victory. The positivity is still emanating from United, but they will need to play the game of their lives, in the first of four straight games on the road, if they are to overcome the Wolves – who last week ended a run of three games without a win by beating Glasgow Rocks. Wolves will be aiming to work through the gears on their home floor ahead of Saturday night’s grudge match in Leicester, so whilst a comfortable win is on the cards, managing their roster will be key as a bigger task looms.