Fifth down to tenth are still separated by four points, meaning the race for the playoff places is going right down to the wire. Manchester are the only side that can escape the bottom two now, but they're nearly out of time, whilst Nottingham are the first D1M side to finish their schedule for 2022/23.
There's a recap of all the weekend's action below and each result is also clickable to view the live stats.
Reading took another step towards securing a top-four spot yesterday, beating Manchester 86-49.
Magic may have upset the Rockets in the North West earlier this season but there was no hint of a repeat of that outcome after a 27-6 opening quarter.
Reading's Troy Cracknell would enjoy a 16-point, 12-rebound double-double as fellow American Jermiah Jenkins would lead all scorers with 20 points.
Manchester would have no answer as they slipped to their 19th defeat of the season, with only Tyme Regent-Bascombe (16pts) making it to double digit scoring.
The Rockets still control their own route to the top four, knowing they can win their remaining three games to stay ahead of the likes of Loughborough and Solent.
Manchester have no margin for error if they're to avoid a finishing in the potential relegation places. They'll need to win each of their remaining three games, and hope London Lions II lose their last two fixtures.
Considering Magic still have to entertain third place Derby, that feels like a tall order.
Rockets dominate Magic.
— bbl fix (@BblFix) March 19, 2023
📸 Luke Simcock pic.twitter.com/UqRgME7EyS
Worthing Thunder (20-3) kept the title race alive a little longer as they started the weekend by beating Team Newcastle University (11-12) 78-72 thanks to a 23-point, 11-rebound double-double from Orlan Jackman.
Thunder made it two from two on Sunday as they dispatched London Lions II (6-18) 89-65, with Tom Ward (15pts) coming to the fore this time.
The Lions suffered a pair of defeats on the weekend, starting with an 86-65 defeat on Saturday against Thames Valley Cavaliers (12-12), who are now right back in the mix for a playoff spot.
Hemel Storm (23-0) needed a 28-17 final quarter to see off bottom side Westminster Warriors (2-21) 103-95, avoiding what would have been the upset of the season. Taylor Johnson's 30 point outing for Hemel cancelled out a 30 point effort from Westminster's Justin Hitchman.
Loughborough Riders (13-10) remained in the thick of the playoff race thanks to a 75-69 road win against Essex Rebels (7-17), with Logan Rooney and Joe Bielak both scoring 14 points for the visitors.
Nottingham Hoods (11-15) ended their 2022/23 season with an OT defeat as they went down 92-88 against a Ricky Madison-inspired Team Solent Kestrels (12-11).
The American closed with 27 points and 10 boards as Solent strengthened their hold on the playoff spots.
Third-place Derby Trailblazers (17-5) continued their recent good form at the expense of Bradford Dragons (12-12), securing a 97-85 win.
Raheem May-Thompson had a hefty six blocks to go with 21 points and five boards, making the difference against Justin Williams' 34 points in reply.
Bradford managed to bounce back on Sunday against Essex with the Dragons coming out on top 102-66, with Williams dropping another 25 points to wrap up a solid weekend.
Storm scrape past Warriors.
— bbl fix (@BblFix) March 18, 2023
📸 Luke Simcock pic.twitter.com/5mjlds1g06
3pm - Team Newcastle University 72-78 Worthing Thunder - LIVE STATS
5pm - London Lions II 65-86 Thames Valley Cavaliers
5:30pm - Westminster Warriors 95-103 Hemel Storm
6:30pm - Essex Rebels 69-75 Loughborough Riders - LIVE STATS
6:30pm - Nottingham Hoods 88-92 Team Solent Kestrels (After 1OT) - LIVE STATS
7:30pm - Derby Trailblazers 97-85 Bradford Dragons - LIVE STATS
3pm - London Lions II 65-89 Worthing Thunder
4pm - Reading Rockets 86-49 Manchester Magic - LIVE STATS/LIVE STREAM
4:15pm - Bradford Dragons 102-66 Essex Rebels
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Main image credit - Nick Winter
