In a battle between first and third, London Lions and Caledonia Gladiators go into Sunday’s British Basketball League clash at the CopperBox in good form.
The Lions recovered from last Monday’s 102-80 loss at home to the Serios Group Newcastle Eagles with an 89-79 win at Leicester Riders on Friday night.
However, their loss to the Eagles ended a run of seven straight home victories this season and 14 overall, stretching back to March 19.
They come up against a battle-tested Gladiators side who were made to sweat in the closing stages but eventually came away with a narrow 85-82 win over Bristol Flyers on Thursday.
Fahro Alizodizic and Lukas Palyza both posted 17 points for the Gladiators as they head to the capital looking to build on that performance.
Averages not a reflection
Being top of the British Basketball League standings, it comes as no shock that the London Lions are at the summit for points per game at 93.1 in their 17 games played.
On the other side, Caledonia only average 82.9, but have played 14 games, fewer than any team this season.
What makes the Gladiators a dangerous unit is that they have a balanced scoring rotation with four players averaging double figures.
Great Britain international Patrick Whelan leads the way with 14.2 points, closely followed by Ian DuBose at 14.1, so both will look to stamp their authority in Sunday’s top-of-the-table clash.
But Caledonia also has the duo of Alihodzic and Palyza that led the way against Bristol at their disposal, along with Clifton Moore Jr. and Trent Buttrick, who can man the paint and get second-chance points under the basket.
London dominant last time out
The two teams have met once this season, and it was at the CopperBox, with London cruising to a 93-65 win.
It was both Lions and Gladiators’ second game of the season, but it was certainly a statement victory for the champions.
Since then, the Lions have re-introduced last season’s League MVP, Sam Dekker, who missed the start of the season with an injury, and he showed his brilliance on Friday with 13 points against Leicester on 4/5 shooting.
With the season here, you can still get your British Basketball fix by following the League on social media or heading to our YouTube channel to relive all of the best moments from the current season.
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