Sunday 2nd February 2014 – London Lions V Worcester Wolves

London Lions coach Vince Macaulay hopes it will it be third time lucky for the London Lions when they take on Worcester Wolves this Sunday at the Copper Box Arena (tip off 4pm).

The Lions have lost twice to the Wolves in BBL Championship action this season and Macaulay is hoping they will have better luck in the BBL Trophy.

“Hopefully we don’t lose by one, and hopefully I don’t get thrown out the game!” said Macaulay, referring to the two previous defeats where Lions lost 63-62 in overtime at home, and a 93-64 defeat in Worcester where Macaulay was ejected in the first half.

“Apart from that, we know that this is a team at the top of the league that are standing in our way of a trophy, and it’s a different competition, so hopefully we can get a different result.”

His opposite number at the Wolves, Paul James, believes the Lions will be all out to make sure they don’t lose at home for the second week in a row.

“Lions have been a tough team on their floor and I think they will be looking to bounce back very quickly from their defeat against Durham,” said the Wolves play-caller.

“It’s a trophy competition and both teams are going to want to be in it come the end of the day, so I think it will be a very closely-fought contest.”

James added, “We were lucky to get out of jail when we played them in London, and when they came to our place they were without their coach for a half, which I think helped our cause somewhat, so I think they will be quite keen to put the story straight if they can.

“We just want to keep winning games so we’ll prepare for them and hopefully we’ll have enough in the tank to get it done.”

The winner of Sunday’s game will face a trip to Esh Group Eagles Newcastle on February 21 in the next round.

Wolves’ centre Will Creekmore, named again in the starting five of the latest BBL Team of the Week, added: “Anytime you play London, you know it’s going to be a physical game. They play up-tempo and really get after it on defence. They have one of the best playmaking guards in the league in Rod Brown, and the recent signing of Chez Marks appears to have been a great pick up.

“We will need to be patient on offence and, as usual, play tough defence and control the rebounding battle.”