Raiders @ Giants – BBL Championship preview

Manchester Giants will look to build on their lop-sided victory against the Mersey Tigers when they face the UCP Marjon Plymouth Raiders at home this Friday.

After a rocky run of four games without a win the Giants will be anxious to record back-to-back wins for the first time this month and push their home record to 4-1.

Giants forward David Aliu will be hoping to carry on his rich vein of form as the former Tigers player has scored at least 19 points in his previous three games this season and been a major presence rebounding the ball at both ends of the floor.

Coach Gavin Love’s  Raiders suffered their first defeat of the young season when they went down at home 95-78 to Surrey Heat last weekend – a team they will be matching up with again this weekend. It’s a situation that makes this game against the Giants all the more important to win. Victory will put the Raiders back on track, but a loss leaving the Plymouth club facing the prospect of being behind the eight ball when it comes to challenging for the league.

But far from edging a step closer to the panic button, the reality is that the Raiders have lost only one game. They have arguably the most talented team in the league, multiple previous Team of the Week inductees, BBL experience throughout their rank and a former MVP and current league top scorer in Jeremy Bell.

The Giants will be hoping to gain some revenge after they were hammered 105-74 by the Raiders in the corresponding fixture three weeks ago. In that game, as has been the case in each win, for Plymouth guard Jeremy Bell shot a solid percentage – 47% for 20 points.

As the Heat showed in their victory over the Raiders, if you can force Bell to shoot at a lower percentage (35%, 0/6 from three), the outside threat is limited, which increases the pressure on interior scoring. But with Matt Schneck holding down the middle (averaging 13.8ppg, 12.3rpg with 6.8 orpg), the Raiders will always be able to compete.