The Saturday BBL Preview: 30th November 2013
With two BBL Cup semi-final first leg games and a high scoring showdown in Worcester on Friday night in the league, the weekend rolls on forward with two fixtures in the BBL Championship this evening.
Giants @ Riders (7:30pm)
A second away day for Jeff Jones’ Manchester Giants, against another side fighting it out at the top end of the league table in Leicester Riders.
The Giants broke through the triple-digit barrier on Friday proving their scoring prowess, however could not combat what Wolves had in the tank. They will need to get their eye in again at John Sandford, to contend with Riders’ reputation for tough defence.
Leicester come in off the back of a BBL Cup semi-final first leg victory over Plymouth, 95-89. Having talked about tough defence so far in regards to numbers of points against, it was the first time this season a side has scored more than 73 points against them.
Rob Paternostro will not be looking for a repeat performance and knows that with effectively three games in hand over league leaders Worcester, a win is vital considering they have also lost the head-to-head over the Wolves.
United @ Raiders (7:30pm tip-off)
After a strong showing against Leicester, progression is clear over in Plymouth and they know that they pushed the treble winners in the BBL Cup despite the six point loss; they are still in with a shout of making it through to the final in January, but they must keep the positive momentum going.
No better side then to face than Surrey United, a team planted firmly at the bottom of the BBL Championship, who they have beaten contention by 34 points in each of the two previous outings this campaign, one in the league, and one in the BBL Cup.
The pressure will no doubt be starting to build, as will the frustration of still not having claimed a first victory, but if Surrey are to ever pick up a victory, they need to maintain faith.
This game, one would struggle to see anything other than a Plymouth win, and United have better opportunities to pick up victories in 2014 rather than 2013 if truth be told.