It also provides ample opportunity for movement in the standings, with Newcastle and Hemel both in double-header action.
We take a look at all the action below, with links to live stats at the bottom of the page.
City of Birmingham Rockets will be looking for a change of fortunes this weekend as they host Bristol Hurricanes on Saturday.
The Rockets are winners of just one in their last five, including losing four straight, as they've continued to dip out of the D1M playoff picture.
Recent defeats to Loughborough, Hemel, Nottingham and Milton Keynes have left CoB with a 6-11 record. That's still only one win off the playoffs, but more concerningly if they can't correct their current direction of travel, only nine points off the bottom two.
Saturday's opponents Bristol aren't in sparkling form themselves, alternating wins and losses to go 3-2 over their last five, but as a newly promoted side that sits in the playoff spots of a debut season that's still a campaign to be proud of.
82-74 winners against Worthing last time out, Vilmantas Dilys pushed himself into the latest D1M Team of the Week with a standout performance in that one, form he'd love to continue against the Rockets.
The Lithuanian forward leads the team's scoring charts at 17.9PPG to go with 8.0RPG, and has created a fine double act with fellow forward Daniel Edozie (17.7PPG, 12.3RPG) in the Bristol front court.
Both will likely be heavily involved tomorrow alongside Denzel Ubiaro (16.9PPG), who rounds out the Hurricanes' top three scorers.
The guard match-up between Ubiaro and CoB's Zack Powell (16.0PPG, 3.8APG) is sure to be a good one, with the hosts also leaning on Orlan Jackman (12.8PPG, 7.1RPG, 2.5APG) and Martyn Gayle (9.1PPG, 2.2APG), who leads the team in minutes per game.
.
Nottingham Hoods (4-12) have been able to keep their heads just above water recently, sitting two points ahead of Bradford and Worthing. Their assignment this weekend involves a visit from unbeaten leaders Hemel Storm (14-0), an unenviable prospect for any D1M side.
Essex Rebels (7-7) return to action for the first time since the tragic news from earlier this month. They get back underway with a home tie against Newcastle Knights (5-8).
Derby Trailblazers (9-6) are struggling to keep hold of a spot in the top four after recent defeats to Hemel, Reading and Nottingham. A date with local rivals Loughborough Riders (11-6) is another tough match up, but the Trailblazers did prevail 94-83 when the sides met last November.
Sunday contains three games, starting with Milton Keynes Breakers (9-6) against Reading Rockets (13-3).
The Breakers have benefitted from Derby's recent dip, drawing level with the defending regular season champs on 18 points. A road game with Reading will be a difficult test, but MK will no doubt be happy to measure themselves against one of D1M's top sides with the playoffs looming.
Newcastle are in double-header action and finish their weekend on the South coast against Worthing Thunder (3-13).
Team of the Week pick Hafeez Abdul will be returning to his former club for the Knights, looking to keep his hot form going in the process, as Thunder keep scrapping for what would be a valuable two points.
That just leaves Hemel to also double up as they welcome London Cavaliers (7-8) for the final game of the weekend, and a chance for Storm to extend their unbeaten record to a potential 16 games. Coach Mark Clark says his unbeaten side are just taking their games one at a time, however.
London's Saturday clash against Bradford Dragons was a late postponement on Friday afternoon after an issue with the basket equipment was discovered.
7pm - Nottingham Hoods vs Hemel Storm - LIVE STATS / TICKETS
7:30pm - Essex Rebels vs Newcastle Knights - LIVE STATS / TICKETS
7:30pm - City of Birmingham Rockets vs Bristol Hurricanes - LIVE STATS / TICKETS
7:30pm - Derby Trailblazers vs Loughborough Riders - LIVE STATS / TICKETS
4pm - Reading Rockets vs Milton Keynes Breakers - LIVE STATS / TICKETS
4pm - Worthing Thunder vs Newcastle Knights - LIVE STATS / TICKETS
6pm - Hemel Storm vs London Cavaliers - LIVE STATS / TICKETS / LIVE STREAM
Live stream details will be added as they become available
.
Main image credit - CoB Rockets
