Saturday 16 November 2013 – Leicester Riders vs Worcester Wolves

Paul James expects more thrills when his Worcester Wolves renew rivalries with a trip to Leicester Riders on Saturday (tip off 7.30pm). Wolves and Riders have split two ties this season, both settled by 12-point margins, one Championship game in favour of Worcester and one Cup clash going Riders’ way earlier this month.

James feels the two teams bring out the best in each other and anticipates more of the same, saying: “There is a nice little rivalry developing with both teams respectful of what the other can do. Rob Paternostro has put together a great defensive team and has them firing, we need to do a better job in handling this area of the game. There has been nothing in the two games we have played.

“In the first game we executed better than them down the stretch in the fourth quarter and in the second game they were better than us down the stretch in the fourth. This should be another thrilling game.”

Wolves will go into the game in good spirits too, having halted a three-game skid against Glasgow Rocks.

“There was extra emphasis on what had given us the good start to the season and we went a long way to getting back to that against Glasgow,” added James. “We competed on every level and when it came down to it we got the ball to the correct people at the right time.”

Wolves guard Zaire Taylor added his comments: “I don’t know if Leicester against Worcester is a rivalry but we’ve had two entertaining games. We beat them by 12, they beat us by 12, and both games were decided in three minutes of each fourth quarter. If we both finish top of the league, along with the added story line of me changing teams in the off-season, that can add to the rivalry. Also you have two of the top three coaches in the league in Rob and PJ.”

Meanwhile Paternostro stated: “Wolves picked up a very good win in Glasgow on Sunday, they have had a great start to the season. It’s certainly unique to be playing a team for the third time by the middle of November; both teams will be very familiar with each other.”