Why the hungry Lions will be looking for revenge
LEICESTER Riders will be back in action in the BBL Championship tonight, when they take on London Lions at the Morningside Arena at 7.30pm.
ABOUT THE LIONS
The Lions were not far off capturing a first piece of silverware since 2008 last season, when they secured their highest-ever league placing, with second spot.
Vince Macaulay resumed the coaching reigns in the new year and it sparked a stunning change of fortunes for London as they found their form and also reached the play-off final against the Riders.
Their guard, GB international Justin Robinson, was named league MVP and is one of several players staying on for another tilt at a title, including American Brandon Peel, who impressed in his rookie year.
The Lions have a mix of experience and youth at their disposal as Dzaflo Larkai, Andre Lockhart, Joe Ikhinmwin, Jerelle Okoro, Abraham Ekperuoh and Jonathan James round out the returning players.
American duo Ladarius Tabb and Kervin Bristol look to add further quality to the roster and Brit Jordan Spencer makes his comeback after excelling in the States at Augustana University.
FORM GUIDE
The Lions are joint top of the BBL Championship, having won five of their six opening games.
The wins include high-scoring victories over the Glasgow Rock, home and away. Their sole loss was on the road at Plymouth Raiders.
Riders have played just two league games, winning both. But they have failed to win in five games in their first European campaign in 27 years.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Lions rookie Ladarius Tabb is currently leading the BBL in scoring, averaging more than 22 points a game.
Justin Robinson is averaging 17.6 points and 4.4 assists per game.
For Leicester, second year pro JR Holder top scored in the opening two Championship games, with 20 points and 19 points against the London City Royals and Newcastle Eagles respectively.
TEAMS Riders:
Douse, Lascelles, Anderson, Ward-Hibbert, Burnett, Gamble, Washington, Hampton, Larsson, Thomson, Wright, Holder.
James, Lockhart, Ikhinmwin, Larkai, Tabb, Robinson, Ekperuoh, Guede, Roberts, Bristol, Okoro, Peel, Spencer.
Lions: