Top four target for wounded Lions
LIONS return to action on Sunday desperate for two Championship points in their pursuit of a top four finish – a week after bowing out of the BBL Trophy in the cruelest possible fashion.
Lions took a six-point advantage to Plymouth Raiders for their Trophy semi-final second leg on Sunday, but let their lead slip in the final seconds and eventually went down 186-188 on aggregate.
A 87-81 Lions Arena win on Friday raised hopes of a first BBL final in four years, and for most of the game in Plymouth they looked set to finish the job and book a date with the winners of the Newcastle Eagles versus Sheffield Sharks tie.
But a nightmare minute at the very end of the game saw Raiders claw it back from the dead to lead 95-89 and force overtime. And from there the home side made no mistake to close out the game and seal a second final spot of the season, having previously lost to Newcastle in the BBL Cup.
Now Lions have just their Championship target to concentrate on, and are strong contenders for a top four finish that would see them have home court advantage in the end of season play-offs.
They travel to Cheshire Jets this Sunday eager to repeat their 86-75 win on their previous trip to the Northgate Arena in December. Victory would see Mike New’s men maintain the pressure on the top five, with Glasgow Rocks and Raiders firmly in their sights.
In fact it’s going to be a crucial could of weeks for Lions with forthcoming matches against third placed Leicester Riders, at home, and second in the table Worcester Wolves, away, coming up the following weekend.
After two defeats in Devon this season, Lions get their chance for revenge on Plymouth when they visit Milton Keynes in March and then again in April – by which time those games will be just as important as the weekend’s Trophy ties.
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Friday 25 May 2012
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