Manchester Giants host in-form Surrey Scorchers in Thursday night British Basketball League action, looking to ignite their own season following a month of mixed results.
During November, the Giants went 2-5, with those victories putting them clear of basement side Plymouth City Patriots.
However, the five losses mean they remain second from bottom coming into the busy and crucial Christmas period as they begin December the same as they ended October.
With a game against Surrey.
And the Scorchers go into their trip to the North-West with six wins this season, equalling the six wins they totalled in the last two British Basketball League campaigns.
To add fuel to the fire, Surrey’s first success came against Manchester 98-72 on October 21, after starting 0-5, and they have since gone on to win four out of their last six games.
Justin Robinson only played 16 minutes but led the Scorchers with 23 points in one of his 12 double-digit scoring games in what has been a triumphant return to action this season.
But in front of their vocal home crowd at the National Basketball Performance Centre, the Giants will aim to stand tall at the second attempt against their rivals from Guildford on Thursday.
The GB core
Four veterans have been standouts for both Manchester and Surrey this season, and they all share one thing.
They have all represented Great Britain either at senior or under-20 level.
Giants’ duo Nicholas Lewis and Jamell Anderson have been in scintillating form as we enter the season’s midway phase.
No player has shot the ball more on the roster than Lewis, but out of his 191 field goal attempts, he has connected 83 times for 43.5% from the floor, which is solid.
Ironman Anderson is right behind at 15.3 points a contest but plays more than 36 minutes, 12 more than Lewis. Without question, he will play the full 40 minutes and do whatever is needed to give his team the win.
For Surrey, they are led by the partnership of Andrew Lawrence and Justin Robinson, who are currently averaging 10.4 and 13 points, respectively.
What makes their performances and will to win so great is their resilience, with both returning from lengthy injury lay-offs, leaving many to question their futures and if they were thinking about retirement.
Instead, the two lead Surrey in points and have been vocal leaders in helping Surrey’s climb up the Championship standings.
To watch this game of the 2023/24 British Basketball League season, tune in to YouTube on Thursday, December 6 at 7:45 pm GMT.
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