We take a look at this week’s action on BBC Sport as the Play-Off picture begins taking a more serious shape!
Friday 17 February 2017
Surrey Scorchers v Plymouth Raiders (BBL Championship) 7.30pm
Summary
The battle for post-season positioning is heating up and the BBC Sport cameras will be there to capture it as Surrey Scorchers host Plymouth Raiders on Friday.
Scorchers are within sight of their first trip to the Play-Offs under the club’s current guise, after a dramatic victory against Cheshire Phoenix closed the gap to eighth-placed Bristol Flyers to just two points.
Raiders had built some real momentum with four league wins a row prior to defeats in last weekend’s double. But with one foot in the BBL Trophy Final and sitting just two points off the top four, with a game in hand, these are exciting times on the south coast.
Word from the Scorchers:
Scorchers’ captain, Tayo Ogedengbe: “If there’s one thing you can say about watching us this year, it’s that you are going to see an exciting game. It doesn’t matter who we are playing, the game always comes down to the last few plays.
“Last time we played Plymouth was our second game of the season, so everything was still a bit rough. They gave us a good game and came out on top. We didn’t have any of our import players in then. This time it should be a totally different game.”
View from the commentary box
BBL commentator Daniel Routledge: “I’m looking forward to this because it’s the first time I’ve done a Plymouth game this season. Watching them play, they are really explosive offensively, so I think they should be a lot of fun to commentate on.
“It’s been a while since they’ve been on the road with four home games on the bounce, but they have a chance of breaking a club record with a sixth consecutive away win in the BBL. Having won five in a row they’ve matched their previous best from ten years ago, but now they finally have a chance to extend that.
“Also, the Scorchers seem to be the most dramatic team in the league, half of their games in the last three months have been decided by just one basket, winning or losing, it is tense more often than not with them about.
“It will be interesting to see how Surrey approach this game, normally they play at a pretty quick pace, they’re right up there in possessions per game. But Plymouth lead the league in points per possession, so if you go too quick can you keep up with their scoring?
“With Surrey just below the Play-Off line and Plymouth right in the hunt for a top-four finish for the first time in six years, it’s that time of the season where the wins not only help you, but also put pressure on your rivals.”
Three points:
* Raiders have won the last three meetings between these teams
* Elvisi Dusha was the youngest captain to lead a BBL team during his time with Surrey
* Raiders lead the league in three-point shooting percentage, 39.81%
WBBL: Sevenoaks Suns v Cardiff Met Archers 5pm
Sevenoaks Suns tip off at 5pm as the first part of a fantastic double-bill, with the hosts facing the WBBL’s only Welsh side in the shape of Cardiff Met Archers who are led by Great Britain legend, Stef Collins. Suns meanwhile have some of the best young UK talent on their books such as teenage duo Gabby Nikitinaite and Dani Lozzi. The teams will also play a 3×3 game at half-time of the BBL contest.
Next time on BBC Sport:
Friday 24 February 2017
Wolves v Raiders (BBL Trophy, Semi-Final second leg) 7.30pm