Giants back in the BBL with a bang

Friday 21 September 2012 – BBL Championship

Manchester Giants 85 v London Lions 84

Starting Fives:

Manchester Giants – Stefan Gill, James Jones, David Aliu, David Watts, Mike Bernard

London Lions – Perry Lawson, Nuno Pedroso, Tayo Ogedengbe, Mike Martin, Adrien Stuart

A thrilling start to the Giants return to the BBL saw them sneak away with the slimmest possible margin of victory. James Jones was the key man for the home side as the long-range lefty gunner had a hand in everything good that the Giants did on the night. He finished with 29 points and made five of his 10 attempts from downtown. The Giants got out to a good start and took a 26-17 lead after the first quarter before foul trouble and poor shooting plagued them over the middle two periods.

The Lions used this to their advantage and went on a 20-5 run in the third as Tayo Ogedengbe and Karolis Stepanavicius combined to score 15 points in the period. The Giants zone defence was unable to keep the visitors at bay as they were constantly able to get to the basket for layups, offensive rebounds and tip ins. A 3-pointer from the Lions Duane James gave them a 58-55 lead before two more layups from Stepanavicius gave the visitors a 62-55 lead heading into the final period.

The home-side seemed to find another gear in the 4th with eight early points from Stefan Gill. He drained a 3-pointer from the left wing and scored a fast break layup to tie the game at 68.

A 3-pointer from Manchester’s David Watts brought the crowd to their feet as it splashed through the net to give them a 71-68 lead and after a Lions miss James Jones knocked down his fifth 3-pointer of the game to put the home-side up by six. That lead was immediately cut to three as Orlan Jackman knocked down a 3-ball at the other end. Watts nailed a three to put the Giants back up by six but Jackman replied straight away with another triple of his own.

A dunk by Manchester’s Morakinyo Williams put the hosts up 81-74 however the Lions refused to give-up and a made one final surge. They went on a 7-2 run capped by a steal which led to a fast break layup for Mike Martin to give the visitors a 84-83 lead with less than a minute to play.

Bailey was fouled on the Giants next possession and knocked down two clutch free-throws to put the Giants up by one before a Lions turnover gave the Giants possession. The visitors fouled quickly to put James Jones at the line but he uncharacteristically missed both to give the Lions one more opportunity to win the game but they were once again unable to get a shot and the Giants held on to claim their first BBL win in a decade.

Play of the game

Devan Bailey’s clutch free-throws with less than a minute to play – with the Giants down one he couldn’t afford to make a mistake and he calmly made them both to give them a one point lead and seal the victory.

Game MVP

James Jones – 29 points, 5 of 10 from downtown, 4 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals – made big shots in the 4th and helped settle the teams early nerves with 14 first half points.

Next Up

Manchester Giants – One Health Sheffield Sharks Friday 28th September, 19:30, Wright Robinson Sports College

London Lions – Newcastle Eagles Sunday 23rd September, 17:00, Crystal Palace National Sports Centre