In D1M, there was a first win of the season for Worthing as they came through a nail-biter against Thames Valley, while Reading stand in top spot after their victory over Bristol.
MK Breakers eased past previous winners Hemel Storm to book a spot in the KitKing Trophy Final, and we've got more on that game plus the rest of the weekend's action below.
MK Breakers are the first confirmed finalist for this year's KitKing Trophy after they beat Hemel Storm 100-88.
The National Cup holders rode a two-pronged attack of KJ Johnson (31pts, 8ast, 7reb) and Nate Robinson (29pts,) to keep the visitors at bay, leading for three of the game's four quarters after an even opening 10 minutes.
More than once in the second half Hemel would get their deficit down to five points, but that was as close as they'd come as MK booked a spot in their first-ever KitKing Trophy showpiece.
Adrian Scarborough chipped in a useful 14-point, eight-rebound effort alongside Johnson and Robinson, with Breakers' captain Blayne Freckleton hitting a trio of threes off the bench for nine points.
Veron Eze (22pts, 5reb) top scored for Hemel, with reigning Player of the Week Tra'Michael Moton (20pts, 6reb, 3ast) and starters Darien Nelson-Henry (14pts, 12reb) and Sam Newman (10pts, 7ast) also playing well despite the final score.
MK will now move on to play either Reading Rockets or holders Derby Trailblazers, who are set to meet in the other semi-final.
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With Hemel not in league action, it gave Reading Rockets (5-1) the chance to claim top spot for the week as they downed the Bristol Hurricanes (2-2) 88-73 at Loddon Valley on Saturday.
A closely-fought first half was broken open in the third as Reading turned a one-point half-time lead into a 68-55 advantage heading into the fourth as they maintained their unbeaten run at home this season.
Mitch Clarke led Reading with 25 points and seven assists with Ty Nsangu securing a customary double-double of 18 points and 15 rebounds.
Vilmantas Dilys and Daniel Edozie both led Bristol with 15 points, with the latter pulling down 10 rebounds. Elvisi Disha was one rebound shy of a triple-double, scoring 11 points, dishing 10 assists alongside nine rebounds.
Derby Trailblazers (4-1) are not far behind though as they routed winless Bradford Dragons (0-4) 99-68 behind a 35-point explosion from David Simental. Micah Savery-Richards led the Dragons with 20 points.
Derby and Reading overtake Hemel, but there was no such joy for the City of Birmingham Rockets (3-2) as Martyn Gayle’s potential game-winning three-pointer missed its mark, giving Essex Rebels (2-3) a 79-77 win in overtime.
Emmanuel Kanwei went for 18 points and 22 rebounds for the victors, cancelling out Orlan Jackman’s 25 points and 14 rebounds for the Rockets.
Looking further down the standings, Worthing Thunder (1-4) gave their home fans some joy as a pair of free throws from Elijah Maynard with just 0.9 seconds left handed his side a 95-94 victory over the Thames Valley Cavaliers (2-3).
Jonathan Lashley led the Thunder with 27 points and 13 rebounds with Maynard adding 20. Ed Lucas went 4/9 from deep for his team-high 18 points for TVC.
Thanks to 31 points and 10 rebounds from Ronald Blain, the Newcastle Knights (2-3) made the long trip back from the East Midlands a happy one, by beating Nottingham Hoods (2-3) 85-81.
Forward Greg Skoric had an impressive 21-point, 19-rebound double-double for the Hoods, but the hosts would be doomed by a 36-18 third quarter.
7pm - Nottingham Hoods 81-85 Newcastle Knights - LIVE STATS / LIVE STREAM
7.30pm - Derby Trailblazers 99-68 Bradford Dragons - LIVE STATS / LIVE STREAM
7.30pm - City of Birmingham Rockets 77-79 Essex Rebels (after 2OT) - LIVE STATS / LIVE STREAM
7.30pm - Worthing Thunder 95-94 Thames Valley Cavaliers - LIVE STATS
7.30pm - Reading Rockets 88-73 Bristol Hurricanes - LIVE STATS / LIVE STREAM
Sunday 3 November
5pm - MK Breakers 100-88 Hemel Storm LIVE STATS
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Main image credit - Josh Nesden
Words by John Hobbs
