We are down to the last four in the battle to make it to The O2 for the Molten BBL Play-Off Final, with two intriguing Semi-Finals to look forward to this weekend.
The Emirates Arena is where the action begins tonight as Glasgow Rocks welcome the Sheffield Sharks for their first leg encounter.
Glasgow overcame Worcester Wolves by a convincing 32-point winning margin on aggregate last week, and American guard Warren Gillis believes the experience was valuable as his side edge closer to a major Final.
“It’s very exciting to be one of the four teams with a chance to win the Championship,” he declared.
“The team is really focused as we can see the final so close in sight.
“We’ve always had the confidence that we could compete with any team and I think that first matchup was more like getting over the hump.
“We were able to get some Play-Off experience together as well as beat a talented team.”
During the regular season, the road team prevailed on each occasion, but Gillis insists that his side will not worry about already losing twice at home to the Sharks this season.
“We are not thinking about the results of past Sheffield games.
“Last week we learned the importance of a great start in the first leg so everyone knows how important the first leg will be.
“The key battle will be on the glass – the team that has rebounded better has had more success.”
The second Semi-Final gets underway tomorrow as seventh seeds Cheshire Phoenix, who eliminated defending Play-Off champions Esh Group Eagles Newcastle last week, host Leicester Riders, in the first leg.
Less than 24 hours later, the second leg takes place at the LCS Arena on Sunday afternoon in what will be Barry Lamble’s last home game for the club having announced his retirement yesterday.
Leicester won all three league meetings with Cheshire this season and will be aiming to continue their quest for a treble, just as they accomplished in 2012-13. But, Neil Watson is anticipating a strong challenge from this weekend’s opponents.
“We are expecting a hard-nosed and long fighting two-leg series with Cheshire,” he said.
“We are very determined, but also level headed and ready to embrace the road to The O2.”