by Vlad Ionasc
Cheshire Phoenix will host the Leicester Riders in the last regular season game of the 2020/21 season.
The Nix can climb up to 5th in the BBL Championship table with a win, however a loss would send them down into 7th, behind the Worcester Wolves.
The Riders can seal the BBL Championship title with a victory at the EPSV.
GAME DETAILS
Date: Sunday 25th April, 2021
Tip-off: 5 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.
RIDERS SCOUTING REPORT
The Riders have a 27-11 record in all competitions.
Leicester has obtained 12 victories in 18 road games in all competitions.
The Riders have won three of their last five games in the regular season, with the only losses coming against the Newcastle Eagles and London Lions, away from home.
Leicester has the third most potent offense in the BBL, at 85.6 points-per-game and the second best defence, at just 77.2 points allowed-per-game.
Rob Paternostro’s team is shooting a league-best 47.9% from the floor, however they rank just fifth in three-point percentage, at 34.5%.
The Riders lead the league in blocks per game (3.1) and also rank in the top three in assists-per-game, with 20.7.
The Riders rank in the bottom four in turnovers-per-game (12.8) and fouls-per-game (15.8).
Geno Crandall is Leicester’s best scorer, as he’s currently averaging 16 points-per-game and he also leads his team in assists-per-game with 7.8.
William Lee ranks sixth league-wide in rebounds-per-game (7.8 RPG). Lee is the league’s top shot-blocker, with 1.3 blocks per contest.
Corey Johnson is Leicester’s most dangerous weapon from behind the arc. He has made the second most three-pointers in the BBL (63) and is shooting 37.5% from deep.
Aaron Falzon has the third highest free-throw percentage in the league (89.5% FT).
KEY PLAYERS
Leicester Riders: Geno Crandall — Leicester’s MVP candidate will aim to finish the season in style at the EPSV in order to strengthen his MVP case and to bring some silverware back to the Morningside Arena. Crandall is currently averaging 16 points, 5.9 rebounds and 7.8 assists per game in the BBL Championship.
Cheshire Phoenix: Kahron Ross — Phoenix’s star guard will look to build on his 20-point performance against the Rocks when he’ll go up against the league-leading Riders. Ross scored 26 points and dished out five assists in Phoenix’s 93-91 win over Leicester back on March 5th.
COACH’S CORNER
Ben Thomas: “It’s the last game of the regular season and we still have a lot to play for!
“A win means we increase our league standing and potentially still be able to place 5th in the league table. It will be a really tough game against the best side in the country, we know we can compete with the Riders but it will take a complete 40 minute performance.”