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Cheshire Phoenix vs Manchester Giants – Preview

by Vlad Ionasc

Cheshire Phoenix will look to obtain their first win in the regular season in front of the Sky Sports cameras when they’ll take on the Manchester Giants later tonight.

The Nix enter the building on a three-game losing streak, however they will have a fully-fit squad for the first time this season.

The Giants are 2-2 in the BBL Championship, after picking up wins against the Phoenix and most recently the Glasgow Rocks. Both of Manchester’s losses have come against Atiba Lyons’ Sheffield Sharks, home and away.

GAME DETAILS

Date: Friday 12th November, 2021

Tip-off: 7:30 p.m.

Competition: BBL Championship

Where: National Basketball Performance Centre

How to watch: Sky Sports Arena & Mix

GIANTS SCOUTING REPORT

Photo by Manchester Giants

The Giants finished first in the ‘North’ group of the BBL Cup, with a 6-2 record.

Manchester are undefeated against Cheshire this season (3-0 record in all competitions).

The Mancunians have a 1-1 record at home in the regular season, following their 88-89 defeat against the Sharks and 99-80 victory over the Rocks.

As a team, the Giants are currently shooting 48.9% from the field, 45.1% from three-point range and 75% from the charity stripe.

Gardner’s team is averaging 88 points, 29.3 rebounds and 22.3 assists per game after their first four regular season fixtures.

Martaveous McKnight leads the Giants in scoring and playmaking, with 15.3 points and 4.8 dimes per night.

Jamell Anderson is Manchester’s second leading scorer with 12.5 points and he leads his team in three-point percentage with 45% 3PT.

Tyrik Armstrong supplies the Mancunians with 12.3 points and 4.5 assists per game while GB legend Dan Clark leads the Giants in rebounding (6.8 boards per game) and ranks third in playmaking with four assists per game.

The Giants are yet to pick up back-to-back wins in the regular season.

KEY PLAYERS

Manchester Giants: Martaveous McKnight — The American guard has enjoyed a great start to the regular season, as he’s currently leading the Giants in points (15.3) and assists (4.8) per game whilst shooting 41.7% from deep. McKnight followed up his 23-point performance at the EPSV with a solid 18-point & five-assist effort against the Sheffield Sharks, however he only scored eight points on 3-12 FG (0-5 3PT) in Manchester’s last game against the Rocks so he will aim to get back on track on Derby Day.

Cheshire Phoenix: Teddy Okereafor — The 6’3 point-guard dropped a 17-point, 12-rebound and 13-assist triple-double in Cheshire’s agonising 91-92 loss against the Giants. Okereafor is currently leading the Nix in assists (9) and rebounds (8.3) whilst shooting an eye-watering 45% from three-point land. Okereafor will have to supply his team with double-digit points and also distribute well in order for the Nix to obtain their first win in the regular season.

COACH’S CORNER

Photo by Adam Day

Ben Thomas: “We’re really excited to get into winning ways in the BBL Championship tonight. Last week was tough for us but we’re back to a fully fit team tonight and hopefully we will give a better account of ourselves.

“Last time out against the Giants it was a very close affair and we’re expecting more of the same tonight but we’re hungry, ready to go and looking forward to putting on a good performance.”

NEXT HOME GAME

The Nix are next in action at the EPSV against the Sheffield Sharks in the BBL Championship on the 21st of November, with tip-off scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Tickets are now on sale!

 

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