Leaders Riders have target on their back
PATERNOSTRO EXPECTS BBL TITLE RIVALS TO RAISE THEIR GAME
LEICESTER Riders must expect the best from their rivals as they sit comfortably on top of the BBL Championship with two-thirds of the regular season completed.
Head coach Rob Paternostro knows his team have a target on their back after they just managed to overcome Surrey Scorchers on Wednesday night to stretch their lead to 10 points.
“We knew we were facing a tough game against the Scorchers, particularly after the two wins last weekend over our rivals Newcastle and London,” said Paternostro.
“Those games will have taken a lot out of the team physically and emotionally, and so we were on our guard.
“Plus Surrey are a much improved team, and were in decent form, with little to lose.
“Those are always dangerous games.
“They were tough to defend and run a free-wheeling style of offence, which at times we struggled to cope with.
“I was pretty happy with the way we started and the whole of the first half, except we should have had a more comfortable lead at half-time.
“We let things get away from us a little.
“That set up a tense final period and they did make some big shots.
“We also gave them too many second chance opportunities from offensive rebounds, and they converted for 21 points.
“But we did just enough, and these are the type of games you must win when you are in our position.
“I thought William Lee was excellent throughout, really imposing himself on the boards and defensively.
“Geno Crandall ran the offence very well and made some big passes as he does.
“And Darien Nelson-Henry continued to be very solid. He is really improving with his finishing in the paint.
“Surrey were tough, and their guards rebounded well, particularly Connor Cashew and they are going to be a tough nut for teams down the stretch.
“We still have 10 games to go, including against the top sides.
“The nature of the BBL this season means there will be upsets along the way, and therefore plenty can still happen.
“But I like where we are right now.”
Riders have the weekend off, with the BBL Trophy Final taking place in Worcester on Sunday between London Lions and Plymouth Raiders.
Riders have 10 games left in the BBL Championship, four at home and six away.
That includes matches against their main title rivals London Lions, Newcastle Eagles and and Plymouth
Raiders. There are also two games left against two clubs - Cheshire Phoenix and Bristol Flyers.
Riders’ next game is at home to Cheshire at the Morningside Arena on Wednesday night (6pm) for their second match-up in the BBL Championship.
Cheshire best Leicester in their first match-up two weeks ago on a buzzer-beating three pointer by American guard Kahron Ross.