Plus, it’s Round of 16 time in the NBL National Cup with 14 teams in action on Sunday.
It’s first vs second in Derby this Saturday as the Trailblazers host the unbeaten Hemel Storm in a game that, even at this early stage of the season, could determine how the title race will fare.
With just one loss between the two teams in a combined 15 games, Derby and Hemel go into Saturday’s clash as form teams, having each won seven games in a row.
Hemel travels to Derby on the back of a 99-88 win over Nottingham Hoods last Saturday. Darien Nelson-Henry was unstoppable, exploding for 33 points in just 28 minutes.
And the American, who spoke to BE this week about his successful career, currently leads the Storm, with an average of 18.3 points per game and 9.0 rebounds. But the Storm have other weapons at their disposal as well in the form of Sam Newman (14.4ppg, 6.3apg) and Tra’Michael Moton (16.9ppg, 4.7rpg).
Derby head into this game focused on ending the Storm’s perfect record ahead of two tricky upcoming games against Milton Keynes Breakers and a home tie with the Reading Rockets.
A 94-83 road win over Loughborough Riders was their seventh consecutive victory in NBL1, after fully recovering from their opening-day loss to City of Birmingham Rockets.
With key players Malcolm Smith and David Simental sidelined, fans will be sweating on their fitness. However, despite being out, the team has still been winning, with Leighton Elliot-Sewell (24.0 ppg, 11.0rpg) and Jonas Dietreich (15.6ppg, 51.3% 3-point) major components to that success.
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There is an intriguing battle between Loughborough Riders (4-3) and City of Birmingham Rockets (5-3), with the winner piling on the pressure on the top half.
The Rockets are currently in the top four, and a win would solidify their spot. They also need Zach Powell (15.6ppg, 3.8apg) and veteran Orlan Jackman (14.6ppg, 8.6rpg) on top of their games.
Loughborough will make it hard and come into this game in decent form, having won three of their last four, thanks to the constant threat of Victor Ndoukou (19.4ppg, 7.4rpg, 1.4spg).
Worthing Thunder (2-5) will aim to build on their home win against Bradford Dragons when they welcome the Bristol Hurricanes (4-3) to the South Coast.
Boasting the NBL1’s leading scorer in Elijah Maynard (24.6ppg), the Thunder look to be finding their rhythm. However, Bristol has a plethora of ex-BBL players that can score at will on any given night, led by Daniel Edozie (16.8ppg, 13.3rpg).
Thames Valley Cavaliers (4-3) are quietly going about their business at the moment, with two straight wins slowly creeping them up the standings. They host Newcastle Knights (2-5), who are looking for their first win in two games. Ronald Blain (23.4ppg) is eager to guide the Knights to victory.
Bradford Dragons (0-7) are still looking for their first win of the season as they travel to Essex Rebels (3-4 ), aiming to bounce back after a defeat to TVC last week to complete Saturday’s games.
Four NBL2 teams are remaining in the National Cup, and they are all looking to emulate what the Milton Keynes Breakers did last season by lifting the Cup as a lower-league team.
Team Solent Kestrels, who sit third in NBL2 South, will host Thames Valley Cavaliers. They have already claimed one NBL1 scalp in Worthing Thunder and will be hoping for a second.
NBL2 North side Manchester Magic will hope for the same when they play Newcastle Knights, NBL2 South outfit Westminster Warriors host Reading Rockets on Tuesday and London Elite welcome Hemel Storm to North West London.
A rematch of last week’s NBL1 clash between Loughborough Riders and Derby Trailblazers highlights the all-NBL1 clashes, with the City of Birmingham Rockets at home to Bristol Hurricanes and the Essex Rebels hosting the holders, MK Breakers.
6:30pm: Thames Valley Cavaliers vs Newcastle Knights LIVE STATS / TICKETS
6:30pm: Essex Rebels vs Bradford Dragons LIVE STATS / TICKETS
7:30pm: Derby Trailblazers vs Hemel Storm LIVE STATS / TICKETS
7:30pm: City of Birmingham Rockets vs Loughborough Riders LIVE STATS / TICKETS
7:30pm: Worthing Thunder vs Bristol Hurricanes LIVE STATS / TICKETS
Team Solent Kestrels vs Thames Valley Cavaliers LIVE STATS / LIVE STREAM
Essex Rebels vs Milton Keynes Breakers LIVE STATS / TICKETS
London Elite vs Hemel Storm LIVE STATS
Loughborough Riders vs Derby Trailblazers LIVE STATS / LIVE STREAM
City of Birmingham Rockets vs Bristol Hurricanes LIVE STATS / TICKETS
Manchester Magic vs Newcastle Knights LIVE STATS
Westminster Warriors vs Reading Rockets LIVE STATS
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Image credits - Nick Higgins, Matt Cook, Josh Nesden
