An atmosphere to make any Giant feel small
The Manchester Giants have discovered that they will be the first team to face the Lion’s roar this season.
Wednesday evening saw the release of the BBL 2013/14 fixtures and officially marks the start of the new campaign. Now that the gruelling eight-month schedule has been unveiled, the twelve teams will begin to prepare themselves for a battle to earn a position in the play-off final. This season’s competition will reach a dramatic finale on Sunday 11 May 2014.
The pressure will be firmly on the Giants to overcome last season’s disappointment of narrowly missing out on a play-off position. Two points were enough to separate the sides in the standings at the end of last year, but that will count for nothing when they go head-to-head on Friday 27th September 2013.
Not only will this be the Lion’s opening game of the season, but it will also be the first competitive club fixture to take place inside the club’s new home venue, the Copper Box. The electric atmosphere will mean that Vince Macaulay’s side will no doubt have the upper hand in what should be a thrilling tie.
The last time to the two teams met was a dramatic 85-87 Lions win at the Wright Robinson College, during the penultimate game of the 2012/13 season. The London side will reflect fondly on this fixture, which saw them take the vital points they required to grab the final play-off position. A last-gasp layup from American PG Rod Brown, with just 0.3 seconds left on the clock, was enough to seal the victory and break the Giants hearts.
Getting off to good start will be imperative for the home team, should they want to better last season’s performance. Jeff Jones and his Giants will be happy to stand in the way, just as they did during the opening clash in September last year.
Whoever may finish victorious come the end of the fourth quarter should consider postponing any celebrations until a later date. The losing side will have their opportunity to gain revenge on the last day of the regular season, when the teams head back up North to play for one last time.
Other key league fixtures for the Lions include an away trip to closest rivals, Surrey Heat, on Sunday 9 February 2014 and a home tie against defending champions, Jelson Homes DMU Leicester Riders, on Friday 28 February 2014.
With the start in sight, the opening weekend of the British Basketball calendar isn’t the only fixture American sports fans from the capital will be relishing that weekend. The second instalment of the NFL International Series will commence less than 48 hours after the Lions take to the court. Thousands of football fans will descend on Wembley Stadium to see the 2008 Super Bowl winners, the Pittsburgh Steelers, taking on the Minnesota Vikings.
