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Cheshire Phoenix vs Leicester Riders – Preview

by Vlad Ionasc

Cheshire Phoenix will aim for their first win in the BBL Cup against the Leicester Riders at the Morningside Arena on the 11th October.

The Nix have had a tough start to the season, losing their opening four games while the Riders won three in a row before dropping their first game to the Newcastle Eagles on the 4th October.

The two sides have already faced each other in the BBL Cup this season, with the Riders triumphing 75-63 on the 22nd September. Louis Sayers and Parker Jackson-Cartwright combined for 35 points on 13 for 27 shooting that night, while the dynamic duo of Josh Ward-Hibbert and Namon Wright combined for 32 points on 14 for 27 shooting for the Riders. The Nix will need to slow down Ward-Hibbert and Wright, but they’ll also have to pay close attention to Kyron Cartwright, the Leicester point-guard registered 10 points and six assists in their last meeting and is currently the league’s leading playmaker with 9.8 assists per game. 

Ben Thomas will rely on Sayers to contribute with baskets from three-point land. The shooting guard has had an impressive start to the season, leading the league in 3PT makes with 18 in just four games.

The Nix will have to shoot better than they did in their previous encounter, if they want to secure the win. 34.3% from the field is simply not going to cut it against one of the best teams in the league. They will also have to battle hard on the glass and secure crucial rebounds. Last time the two sides clashed; Phoenix lost the rebounding battle 34-39. Cheshire must also be pesky defending the three-point line. The Riders’ only loss this season came when they made just five of their 21 attempts from beyond the arc. Jackson-Cartwright will need to feed his team mates and keep them hot all game long as winning against Leicester will require a big team effort. 

BRING THE NOISE! GO PHOENIX!

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