Friday 08 March 2013 – Worcester Wolves vs London Lions

The battle for BBL Championship play-off seedings continues on Friday evening at the University of Worcester (tip off 7.30pm), as the home-town Wolves host London Lions.

The Wolves head into a weekend where they also visit Cheshire Phoenix on Sunday in joint-fifth spot with a 15-9 record and look a safe bet for a place in the post-season, but will still be aiming to move into the top four for a more favourable draw. Lions have now made seventh place their own – at least for a couple of weeks – with a 12-16 record but will know that they have played more games than the rest of the teams and that every victory counts.

The sides met just three weeks ago with Wolves winning a double-overtime classic 98-91 which squared the series between them this season as a come-from-behind display from Lions had seen them win 94-76 at Crystal Palace in November.

Wolves’ coach Paul James is expecting a difficult game on Friday night: “The Lions have a talented and athletic team, with several players who have the ability to be game winners on their day.

“Tayo Ogedengbe, Orlan Jackman, Mike Martin and Adrian Sturt have all been playing well lately. They have also added Rod Brown recently, who will help in controlling the game.

“I think our defence was good against them the last time we played. Our offence needs to be much more clinical this time around.”

With the head-to-head decider on the line, Lions’ coach Vince Macaulay is quietly confident going into the game: “We match up very well with them because of our athletes, the last time was exceptionally close, our free throws let us down and we need to improve there, but basically we will run hard against them and try to compete on the boards.

“The Wolves are proving now what we all knew at the start of the season, that they would be a very, very good team. Coach James has built a strong physical team with the guidance of a solid point guard. The addition of Kai Williams gives added depth and they will cause problems for the rest of the way.

“I think that Sherrad Prezzie-Blue is absolutely vital to everything they do, but Alex Owumi’s fire power and that of Williams really spreads the floor for the big Lithuanians to go to work.”

After Friday’s game it will be over a fortnight before the Wolves return to action at the University of Worcester, when Manchester Giants will be the visitors on Saturday 23 March.