by Vlad Ionasc
Cheshire Phoenix will look to bounce back from their defeat in the BBL Trophy and continue their good form in the regular-season when they’ll meet the Worcester Wolves at the EPSV.
Last time out, the Wolves won in dramatic fashion, as rookie guard Micah Elan drained a buzzer-beating mid-range shot and snatched a win for his side.
Matt Newby’s team has played 11 games in the regular season (5-6 record) while Ben Thomas’ side has played 12 (5-7 record).
GAME DETAILS
Date: Wednesday, 17th February, 2021
Tip-off: 6 p.m.
Competition: BBL Championship
Where: EPSV
How to watch: BBL Player
The BBL Player is the new one-stop-shop for all BBL action as you can watch every club and every game (excluding Bristol’s home games) live and on-demand for £19.99 per month. Alternatively, single-game passes are priced at £4.99.
Because of how the BBL is structured, all the money from the BBL Player goes directly to the clubs, so make sure to select the Cheshire Phoenix as your ‘club to support’ when registering, as all the revenue will help carry the club through this incredibly difficult period of financial insecurity.
WOLVES SCOUTING REPORT
Newby’s men are 3-6 on the road (all competitions).
The Wolves have picked up two victories in the last five meetings against the Nix.
The visitors are shooting 43.7% from the floor, 36.9% from deep (4th best in BBL) and 65.5% from the free-throw line.
Despite their impressive shooting from behind the arc, Worcester’s offence (72.3 PPG) ranks 10th in the BBL, while their defence (80.4 points allowed per game) ranks 6th.
The Wolves haul in just 31.2 rebounds-per-game (last in the BBL), whilst allowing their opponents to grab 36.2 boards per contest (4th most in the BBL).
Brown alum Brandon Anderson boasts the best 3-point percentage in the league (55.6% 3PT), while his teammate KJ Lawson ranks second (53.3% 3PT). Dutch point-guard Maarten Bouwknecht averages 47.4% from deep while British forward Josh McSwiggan has also converted 44.4% of his attempts from three-point territory.
Jordan Williams is leading his team in rebounding (8.9 rebounds-per-game) and also ranks second in scoring (14.5 points-per-game) and assisting (4.5 assists-per-game). Williams is the second-most fouled player in the league, however he’s shooting a deplorable 49.5% from the line.
Anderson leads the Wolves in scoring (15.1 points-per-game) while Bouwknecht is Worcester’s main distributor (4.6 assists-per-game). The Dutchman also ranks 6th in the BBL in steals (1.8 steals-per-game).
The Wolves could clinch the head-to-head against the Nix with a victory.
KEY PLAYERS
Worcester Wolves: Jordan Williams — The 6-foot-8 British forward does a little bit of everything for the Wolves. He’s currently averaging 14.5 points, 8.9 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game, however he’s only shooting 12.5% from distance and 49.5% from the charity stripe, so the Nix must force him out of his comfort zone in order to limit his impact on the game.
Cheshire Phoenix: Matthew Bryan-Amaning — The Washington alum had a short stint with the Wolves this season, so he will be familiar with their offensive and defensive schemes. MBA only played 12 minutes in the defeat against the Rocks, so with more time on the court, the British forward could be vital to Phoenix obtaining a win.
COACH’S CORNER
Ben Thomas: “The game against the Wolves gives us a chance to even up the head to head against them and move ahead of them in the league.
“This is the start the first of three games in five days and this can really turn our season around.
“The Wolves have a really balanced team with a lot of shooters so we have to be ready to play tough defence for 40 minutes. But tonight we have to be more productive offensively too, that’s where we have struggled recently!”
NEXT HOME GAME
The Nix will be back in action at the EPSV on Friday 19th of February, against the London Lions in the BBL Championship. Tip-off is scheduled for 6 p.m.