Nine games take place in D2M this week, and with a derby, double-headers and teams in need of a win, the league shows no sign of slowing down as we approach the finish line.
Week 20 starts off with a bang as this London derby is the first Saturday tip-off. Both sides hold the same record this season, with Pioneers in fourth ahead of fifth placed Westside on points difference.
Pioneers edged Kestrels last week to hang on to their fourth spot, while Westside will be thirsty for another London conquest having beaten East London All Stars in week 19.
The ever-reliable Yonathan Napoleon will be key to Pioneers keeping their place in the standings, as he comes into this on the back of a of 31 points and 11 rebounds double-double.
In the rest of the Southern Conference, Ipswich (9-4) host Greenwich Titans (6-8) hoping to get back to winning ways after defeat in London to BC Medelynas, despite Jake Eynon and Luke Mascall-Wright's 36 and 33 points hauls. They will be hoping a similar return on home turf will be more than enough to get the win this time around.
The All Stars (5-6) will try to make amends for their derby defeat by putting Solent Kestrels II (4-9) to the sword on Sunday. Grant Bryant’s 25-point, 11-rebound double-double despite losing out, makes him Kestrel's main threat to keep quiet.
In the Northern Conference, Sheffield (0-13) and Birmingham Elite (5-9) go into this with both teams desperate for a win under their belt. The hosts are yet to win this season, while Elite's narrow loss to Bristol Hurricanes stretched their losing run to four games.
Manchester Magic (9-6) endured a torrid time in week 19, losing both of their double-header fixtures and with it ground near the top of the Northern Conference. They travel to Bristol Flyers (6-8), who also face a tricky tie against second-placed Myerscough (11-2) in a double-header week 20.
Hurricanes (3-11) finally got their much needed win to end a three game barren spell last time out, but will have to be on top form to have the same outcome versus third placed Charnwood (9-5). Benas Andriekus will need to conjure up a similar return of his 27-point, 10-rebound double-double against Elite if they are to cause an upset.
Leaders Newcastle (13-2) are on the road to Derbyshire Spartans (6-8) and will be up against an in form man in Ashley Kalugin-Ugo. His 32-point, 10 rebound double-double saw Spartans pull off a big win over Manchester Magic, which will only improve their confidence when hosting the league leaders.
Finally, Derbyshire Arrows (8-7) host Chester (7-6) after both sides suffered defeat at the hands of Myerscough in week 19 as both remarkably conceded 85 points. Chester's Isaac Ray did hit 26 points as they ran Myerscough slightly closer, making it an interesting contest on Sunday night.
3:30pm - London Greenhouse Pioneers v London Westside - LIVE STATS
4:20pm - Sheffield Hallam University v Team Birmingham Elite - LIVE STATS
5:15pm - Bristol Academy Flyers v Manchester Magic - LIVE STATS
5:30pm - Bristol Hurricanes v Charnwood College Riders - LIVE STATS
5:30pm - Ipswich Basketball v Greenwich Titans - LIVE STATS
7:00pm - Derbyshire Spartans v Team Newcastle University - LIVE STATS
2:00pm - East London All Stars v Team Solent Kestrels II - LIVE STATS
2:00pm - Bristol Academy Flyers v Myerscough College - LIVE STATS
4:15pm - Derbyshire Arrows v University of Chester - LIVE STATS
Main Image Credit - B.East Photography
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