THIS WEEK’S GAMESFriday 20 November 2015
CH 19:30 Bristol Flyers v London Lions
CH 19:30 Leeds Force v Cheshire Phoenix
Saturday 21 November 2015
CH 19:30 Leicester Riders v Sheffield Sharks
Sunday 22 November 2015
CH 17:30 Cheshire Phoenix v Manchester Giants
CH 15:00 Worcester Wolves v Plymouth University Raiders
Esh Group Eagles Newcastle v Worcester Wolves
Where and when:
Sport Central, 7.30pm Friday 20 November
Summary:
Esh Group Eagles Newcastle set a new BBL Championship personal best last weekend, but this Friday they face the one team they failed to get the better of during the 2014/15 season.
Fab Flournoy’s side may have emerged from another incredible campaign with all four pieces of silverware last term, but Worcester Wolves won all three games against the all-conquering Eagles.
Eagles have now made their best-ever start to a BBL Championship season this time round, however, after wins against Sheffield Sharks and Manchester Giants extended their perfect opening to 10 games.
Wolves were beaten by Cheshire Phoenix last Friday, their second home defeat in seven days, before bouncing back to overcome Plymouth Raiders and sit on a 7-2 record.
Last time they met:
Worcester Wolves 88 Esh Group Eagles Newcastle 81 (BBL Championship, University of Worcester Arena, 03 April 2015)
Form:
Eagles: WWWWWW
Wolves: WWWLLW
Three Points:
- Wolves were triumphant in all three meetings with Eagles last season
- In the previous four seasons a team has made a 10-0 start in the league, they have gone on to claim the title
- Eagles and Wolves are two of the league’s top three teams in terms of field-goal shooting percentage, converting 54.27% and 51.92% respectively
What they say:
Eagles guard/forward Charles Smith: “We got another great win [last weekend] and we got contributions from everyone which made it even better.
“Another big game this weekend against Worcester. PJ’s teams are always going to play hard and compete. We have to scout and watch film on their team and understand what they want to do and stop them from doing that and make it as uncomfortable for them as we can.
“It’s still early stages but if you go by their record so far, you have to put Wolves in the mix. There are a few teams that will be in the conversation but I also think there will be a few surprises between now and the end of the season. So I will let other people talk about who is in the mix, I’m just going to go out and help Newcastle Eagles win games so that we can stay in the mix.”
Wolves forward Pavol Losonsky: “We have not been playing too well lately, which cost us the game against London and another home game against Cheshire. I am not trying to take any credit away from those two teams because they came ready to play. We have had some issues with defence, rotations and just playing together and enjoying the game.
“We can do many different things in practice and coach can draw Xs and Os, but if we don’t come ready to play hard with intensity and the right mind-set, then it doesn’t matter. We just have to go back to basics and most importantly enjoy playing with one another, and stay together as a team through good and bad as well.
“Newcastle are always a very tough opponent and they have been playing well again this season. We can only focus on our journey, what we do and how we play. I am not feeling any pressure, and I am sure guys feel the same way. I always like playing these big games and we will be ready to play our hardest on Friday.”
Tickets: www.newcastle-eagles.
Bristol Flyers v London Lions
Where and when:
WISE Basketball Arena, 7.30pm Friday 20 November
Summary:
Beginning to find consistency in their BBL Championship performances will be the aim for Bristol Flyers and London Lions when they meet on Friday.
These teams clashed at the Copper Box in October, when Flyers escaped with the victory to get off the mark for the season at the fifth attempt.
But neither side has been able to put together more than two consecutive wins so far, Lions following two straight successes with a reverse at Glasgow Rocks last Sunday as Flyers slipped to a second defeat in three, at the hands of Cheshire Phoenix in the BBL Cup Quarter-Final.
Last time they met:
London Lions 64 Bristol Flyers 76 (BBL Championship, Copper Box Arena, 08 October 2015)
Form:
Flyers: LWWLWL
Lions: WWLWWL
Three Points:
- Lions won the first four BBL games between these clubs before defeat in the previous meeting
- Cardell McFarland went for a game-high 25 points when these teams met last month
- Lions were without captain Joe Ikhinmwin against Rocks because of a groin injury
What they say:
Flyers forward Doug McLaughlin-Williams: “I think we can learn [from the Cheshire defeat] it’s very hard to come back from a double-digit deficit in this league. We spotted them a couple baskets early, and although we responded, it was too little too late.
“I believe that if we stick together we can play with anybody in the league, but have to do so for 40 minutes on both ends of the court, which we haven’t done yet this season. But I’m confident we will do so sooner than later.
“London have been a bit up-and-down like ourselves, and have several talented individuals. Also, like us, when they play together and are all healthy, they are as formidable as anyone in the league. It’ll be a scrappy game as both teams are hungry for another league win, and we’re looking forward to the challenge.”
Lions coach Nigel Lloyd: “At the moment we need to get and stay healthy. We haven’t played a game with our full team as of yet and I’m not sure when and if that will happen. We are constantly adapting to change so eventually we will have seen it all and for a young team that will help us sustain a more consistent run of play.
“We, as a coaching staff, expect Flyers to play the same way they did when they beat us. They played really well, hit their big shots and executed their game plan. This time we had a couple of practices before the game so that will be different and we are a lot further along with the team playing together no matter who suits up for us this game.”
Tickets: www.bristolflyers.co.
Leeds Force v Cheshire Phoenix
Where and when:
Carnegie Sports Centre, 7.30pm Friday 20 November
Summary:
The BBL Championship season series between Leeds Force and Cheshire Phoenix will be decided on Friday when the teams meet for the third time.
Matt Newby’s men prevailed when these clubs clashed less than two weeks ago to avenge their opening-night reverse.
That triumph sparked Force’s first-ever three game winning streak in the top-flight, as successes against Plymouth Raiders and Surrey Scorchers followed.
Phoenix halted a run of five consecutive defeats last weekend as Akeem Ellis exploded for 36 points at Worcester Wolves before John Lavery’s side booked their place in the BBL Cup Semi-Finals with victory against Bristol Flyers on Sunday.
Last time they met:
Cheshire Phoenix 74 Leeds Force 82 (BBL Championship, Cheshire Oaks Arena, 08 November 2015)
Form:
Force: LLLWWW
Phoenix: LLLLWW
Three Points:
- Two of the last three games between these teams have been decided by three points or fewer
- Phoenix were without the influential David Aliu during last weekend’s games
- Phoenix guard Akeem Ellis connected on seven of 10 three-point attempts in the victory against Wolves
What they say:
Force coach Matt Newby: “They’ve certainly got the talent and we’re more than aware of that.
“We saw one side of them when we played them at their place but we were able to draw the right solutions to take the game away from them. Our defence was capable that night but we also shot the ball very well.
“We can’t be naïve about that this game, they are a quality team. They have got good personnel and we’ve got to go up a gear if we want to take the win.”
Phoenix guard Akeem Ellis: “We need to continue to play together, continue to execute and continue to play defence. That’s what is going to get us over the top and that is what is going get us ‘W’s.
“We are definitely looking to win that game in Leeds at the weekend. It’s going to be a very hard-fought game because we already played them twice, so this will be the last time that we will be seeing them.
“I definitely have confidence in my team that we’ll be coming out with the victory, but it will come down to the wire.”
Tickets: www.leedsforce.co.uk
Leicester Riders v Sheffield Sharks
Where and when:
Loughborough, 7.30pm Saturday 21 November
Summary:
Leicester Riders came up with the big plays when it mattered to eliminate Sheffield Sharks from the BBL Cup earlier this month, and that big-game temperament will no doubt be tested once more in the rematch.
Atiba Lyons’ side return to Loughborough for their third clash with Leicester this season, no doubt spurred on by the narrow nature of that reverse.
Sharks fell to Esh Group Eagles Newcastle last time out and hold a 3-5 record while Riders, as well as advancing to the last four of the BBL Cup, have won all seven of their BBL Championship games, most recently outlasting Glasgow Rocks.
Last time they met:
Leicester Riders 62 Sheffield Sharks 60 (BBL Cup Quarter-Final, Loughborough, 08 November 2015)
Form:
Riders: WWWWWW
Sharks: WWLWLL
Three Points:
- Drew Sullivan had a 17-point, 10-rebound double-double when these teams met less than two weeks ago
- Sharks have been without the injured Mike Cook for the previous two games
- Riders have played their last two games without the injured Tyler Bernardini (leg)
What they say:
Riders coach Rob Paternostro: “So far this season we’ve had games that have been very different. Some games we have shot the ball really well, some games we haven’t. But we have been able to figure out ways to win and make big, important plays.
“In every game you play, it’s important that you read the game and understand what’s going well for you and what isn’t. So far this year our guys have done the work needed to get over the line. Defensively, we have been pretty consistent on that end of the floor. All of our guys take pride in that.
“The first time we played Sheffield, both teams shot the ball pretty well, we shot the ball really well in the second half. Then last time it was a game where neither team really shot it well, but both teams defended well.
“When you watch them play, you can see that they do have weapons in different areas. They have guys that are very explosive, they also have some veteran guys that understand the league so it is a nice combination he has there.”
Sharks forward John Barber: “We have just got to be consistent with that belief and apply it. We will have good practices and we just have to apply that in the game situations. We have to be consistent with our principles and just the way we play, not over-thinking, playing good basketball.
“They are similar to us, but their style is different, as far as their personnel, they have a lot of versatile players as well. They play with intensity and they do it for 40 minutes, it’s just intense the whole game.
“When you have a coach like Rob [Paternostro], you can just see it from the outside looking in, that he is really good and he rubs off on his players. They are physical and aggressive for the whole game and I think that is why they are doing so well right now.
“If you look at the way we played [against Leicester], we played really hard but we just had that period, similar to the game against Newcastle, where we lapsed, and that’s the period we can’t afford. Teams go on runs, but we are letting that run extend too far. It just comes back to the belief that we can do it.”
Tickets: www.leicesterriders.
Cheshire Phoenix v Manchester Giants
Where and when:
Cheshire Oaks Arena, 5.30pm Sunday 22 November
Summary:
Cheshire Phoenix are finally off the mark in their new home and now aim to turn Cheshire Oaks Arena into a fortress.
Manchester Giants crashed the house-warming party with an 87-75 win during the opening weekend of the season, the first of four Phoenix defeats there.
But BBL Cup Quarter-Final success last Sunday has broken that duck and relieved some of the pressure on John Lavery’s men.
Phoenix face Leeds Force on Friday before hosting Giants, who have won only one of their last 10 games, following defeats against London Lions and Esh Group Eagles Newcastle last weekend.
Last time they met:
Cheshire Phoenix 75 Manchester Giants 87 (BBL Championship, Cheshire Oaks Arena, 20 September 2015)
Form:
Phoenix: LLLLWW
Giants: LLWLLL
Three Points:
- Olu Babalola left Giants this week by mutual consent
- Giants connected on 11 three-pointers when these teams met on opening weekend
- Phoenix average 9.6 points-per-game from their bench, the lowest contribution in the BBL
What they say:
Giants guard Callum Jones: “[The Newcastle game] was a baptism of fire for some of our guys. What was disappointing was that we didn’t play with enough focus and we also let them walk all over us on offence.
“It is important the younger guys learn from the experience and don’t let it happen again, we need to be smarter basketball players than we are being at the moment.
“Cheshire will be looking to avenge our first game and have a couple new guys in since we last played. Their two wing players are very good, particularly in transition and slashing to the basket so we have to be wary of that. They have a lot of offensive weapons so we have to try and frustrate and disrupt them on that end of the floor and for us, we need to move the ball and trust each other on offence and defence.”
Phoenix guard Akeem Ellis: “First time we played Manchester, what I remember is that we gave up too many open threes, they were getting to the basket left and right and it was about our defence, at that point in time.
“Now we have our defensive rotations and defensive mind-set together so we will be ready.”
Tickets: www.cheshirephoenix.
Worcester Wolves v Plymouth University Raiders
Where and when:
University of Worcester Arena, 3.00pm Sunday 22 November
Summary:
Plymouth Raiders get another shot at Worcester Wolves on Sunday, just eight days on from their first meeting of the BBL Championship season.
Wolves secured a much-needed victory in that contest, getting back on track with a 91-80 success after back-to-back home defeats against London Lions and Cheshire Phoenix.
Wolves travel to the unbeaten league leaders Esh Group Eagles Newcastle on Friday before returning home for this one.
Raiders’ player-coach Daryl Corletto will demand a positive response as his team currently prop up the table with just one win from their first eight league games.
Last time they met:
Plymouth Raiders 80 Worcester Wolves 91 (BBL Championship, Plymouth Pavilions, 14 November 2015)
Form:
Wolves: WWWLLW
Raiders: LLLLWL
Three Points:
- Perris Blackwell had 20 points and 14 rebounds in last weekend’s game between these teams
- Wolves have won each of the last seven meetings between these teams
- Only Manchester Giants are conceding more points-per-game than Raiders, who give up 86.75
What they say:
Wolves forward Pavol Losonsky: “I wouldn’t say it is difficult to play a team twice so close together. We have seen what they do and how they play, but at the end of the day, it is always about us.
“We have to take this game seriously and take care of business at home. There is no room for slipping anymore, especially when we play home.”
Raiders player-coach Daryl Corletto: “I’m enjoying the challenge, I’m loving being a leader on this team and trying to bring everyone together. We’ve changed a couple of things off the court and on the court, so far it’s been baby steps, but it’s definitely moving in a positive way.”
Tickets: www.worcesterwolves.
