Back in the Lions’ den
HAS ALWAYS
PLAYED WELL
LEICESTER Riders face one of the biggest matches of the BBL Championship season so far tomorrow.
They travel to the Copper Box to play London Lions (4pm) in the second match-up between the two teams who are favourites for the league title.
Riders are the defending champions and won the first in the threematch series just over a week ago.
They would secure the head-tohead if they can snatch victory again, which may prove decisive in the race for the title.
The final match-up in the series is on Easter Sunday at the Morningside Arena, and Riders will be in confident form after their comefrom-behind 80-67 victory in the first match.
They achieved that win thanks to their stifling defence, which limited the Lions to a paltry four points in the final quarter, the lowest quarter score by a Lions team since at least 2009.
The game features the BBL’s best offence (Lions) versus the best defence (Riders), so something will have to give.
The Lions bounced back from that defeat against Riders with a win on the road at Manchester Giants last Sunday.
Even more impressively, they beat the Danish champions and experienced European campaigners Bakken Bears 82-75 at home in midweek.
Their 6ft 11in American centre Kylor Kelley impressed against the Danes, finishing with 16 points, four rebounds, along with five blocks in 32 minutes of play. His presence also allowed shooting guard Dirk Williams to find space from range, top scoring with 23 points, including five of seven three-pointers.
Against Riders last time out, Kelley was limited to five points, five rebounds and one block in just 20 minutes of play, and Riders took advantage when he was not on court at both ends of the court.
They were able to free up Mo Walker inside who finished with 16 points and 12 rebounds, and, defensively, they were better able to run the Lions off the three-point line in the second half, limiting their scoring options.
When Kelley was on court, the Lions were only five points adrift of the Riders, in a match Leicester won by 13 points.
But Riders know they have a variety of ways of responding to any challenge thrown their way this season, and Patrick Whelan, in particular, has found the Copper Box a happy hunting ground.
In the Cup semi-final first leg in London in December, he top-scored with 25 points, including a sensational six out of seven three-pointers.
And in the Championship match a week ago, Whelan again top scored with 17 points, including three out of seven threes, and added four rebounds and three assists for good measure.
Whelan’s performances for the Riders this season have been good enough to win him a call-up to the Great Britain senior squad for the first time in his career.
Riders head coach Rob Paternostro is looking for his team to treat the game just like any other.
“There will be a lot of pressure on the Lions because of that win by us a week ago, and we can expect them to come at us hard,” he said.
“But it is the sixth time the teams have met so far this season, so there are no secrets.
“What we don’t know when we play the Lions is who will be playing because they have a big squad and some guys have been injured.
“Without doubt, when they have everyone healthy, they are a formidable squad, and we have all seen how well they have done in Europe.
“That is actually a testament to the quality there is in the BBL this season, because they are not having it all their own way domestically.
“They will have the slight advantage of being able to focus on just one game this weekend, so we know what to expect.
“But we have shown to be a resilient side, so I am expecting our guys to be fully focused.
“Contrary to what some are saying there is a very long way to go in the Championship.
“League titles are not won in February.”
“The BBL is super competitive this season and there are a number of very good clubs who will want to make their mark on the title race.
“We expect a real battle on Sunday.”
Leicester Riders: Geno Crandall, Zach Jackson, Marc Loving, Mo Walker, Darien Nelson-Henry, Patrick Whelan, Conner Washington, Victor Ndoukou, Justin Hedley, Kimbal Mackenzie, Jubril Adekoya, Louie Jordan
London Lions: Isaiah Reece, Lorenzo Cugini, Julian Washburn, Kylor Kelley, Justin Robinson, Dirk Williams, Chris Tawiah, Will Neighbour, Jordan Williams, Josh Ward-Hibbert, Jordan Spencer, Andre Lockhart