After the Christmas weekend, the BBL action returns with seven games including the first of 2017 on New Years Day.
Wednesday 28 December 2016
(CH) Plymouth Raiders v Manchester Giants, 4pm
Friday 30 December 2016
(CH) Manchester Giants v Esh Group Eagles Newcastle, 7pm
(CH) Glasgow Rocks v Cheshire Phoenix, 7:30pm
(CH) London Lions v DBL Sharks Sheffield, 7:30pm
(CH) Worcester Wolves v Plymouth Raiders, 7:30pm
(CH) Leicester Riders v Leeds Force, 7:45pm
Sunday 01 January 2017
(CH) Surrey Scorchers v London Lions, 2pm
Plymouth Raiders v Manchester Giants
Details: Wednesday 28 December, Plymouth Pavilions, 4pm – BBL Championship
Summary: Plymouth were 51-point winners when the two teams met in October prior to Manchester’s three-game win streak. The Raiders currently sit sixth with a 7-6 record, while the Giants are locked in a three-way tie at the bottom as they aim to break free.
Season record: Raiders 1-0 Giants
Callum Jones, Manchester Giants guard – “They have lots of offensive weapons and if they find their rhythm early the Pavillions can be a very tough place to play.
“We have to stop them in transition and run them off the 3 point line. We need to share the ball on offence and rotate better on defence.”
Info pack.
Manchester Giants v Esh Group Eagles Newcastle
Details: Friday 30 December, Trafford Sportsdome, 7pm – BBL Championship
Summary: The league leaders won 102-55 at Sport Central earlier in the season and have won all 14 meetings between the two since the Giants’ return in 2012. Manchester play twice in three days to end 2016.
Season record: Giants 0-1 Eagles.
Callum Jones, Manchester Giants guard – “They look like they are the team to beat again. Trying to control Fletcher will be key but they have lots of other guys who can be effective to so we have to be very focused defensively.
“Offensively we need lots of cuts and movement on the weak side as their defence is very good on the ball.”
Info pack.
Glasgow Rocks v Cheshire Phoenix
Details: Friday 30 December, Emirates Arena, 7:30pm – BBL Championship
*LIVE and for FREE on the BBC Sport website and app*
Summary: After a brief break for Christmas, the BBL returns to BBC screens on Friday with Glasgow Rocks against Cheshire Phoenix. Phoenix come into the game off-the-back of a heart-breaking loss, while the Rocks will be keen to rebuild that positive momentum as they move forward to next month’s BBL Cup Final.
Full preview HERE.
Info pack.
London Lions v DBL Sharks Sheffield
Details: Friday 30 December, Copper Box Arena, 7:30pm – BBL Championship
Summary: The Sharks jumped above London in the standings with their pre-Christmas win against Cheshire and were the team to end the Lions’ unbeaten start to the season back in October.
Season record: Lions 0-1 Sharks.
Nigel Lloyd, London Lions head coach – “Sheffield are going to be a big test for us. We needed this break and hopefully can get back to our style of basketball.
“They are a team that you expect to be competing for the top four and have had some good wins lately.
“They also have Zach Gachette – who played for us last season – in great form and that is another plus for them.”
Info pack.
Worcester Wolves v Plymouth Raiders
Details: Friday 30 December, University of Worcester Arena, 7:30pm – BBL Championship
Summary: Worcester sit behind their opponents in the BBL Championship but are two wins adrift having lost nine of their 14 games so far. Maurice Walker has proved a strong addition and should provide an intriguing match-up with Anton Grady inside.
Season record: Wolves 0-1 Raiders
Info pack.
Leicester Riders v Leeds Force
Details: Friday 30 December, Leicester Arena, 7:45pm – BBL Championship
Summary: Back-to-back comeback wins in overtime helped Riders cut the gap at the top of the league ahead of the Christmas break. Leeds were comfortably beaten in the Yorkshire derby and will be looking to avoid a sweep of heavy defeats against the defending league champions.
Season record: Riders 2-0 Force
Brandon Clark, Leicester Riders guard – “I think we are sitting in a great position right now and our best basketball is still ahead of us.
“The last game of 2016 and we want to make a statement.”
Info pack.
Surrey Scorchers v London Lions
Details: Sunday 01 January 2017, Surrey Sports Park, 2pm – BBL Championship
Summary: The first BBL game of 2017 takes place in Guildford as Surrey welcome London. The Lions have come out on top in both league meetings so far but the Scorchers have been making improvements and are in the Play-Off positions as things stand.
Season record: Scorchers 0-2 Lions
Nigel Lloyd, London Lions head coach – “Surrey made it as far as we did in the BBL Cup and have had the chance to re-build their season.
“They have got better as the season as gone on and we will have to be prepared going into that game.”