The race continues on Saturday across an eight-game weekend, with Bradford, Loughborough, City of Birmingham and Hemel all in double-header action.
We take a look at all the action below, with links to live stats at the bottom of the page.
Reading's first game back in D1M as NBL National Cup champions is a tough one, welcoming defending regular-season champs Derby Trailblazers to Loddon Valley.
The Rockets are on a high after their 108-83 victory over Hemel in Manchester, bringing the Cup back to Reading for the first time since 2013/14 in the process.
That momentum will surely help in the D1M title race, but for either of these sides to have a shot at top spot, it will still require Hemel to drop a number of games between now and the end of the season.
Given their perfect record so far, that prospect feels unlikely, meaning tomorrow's clash could have more of an impact on the race for second and the post-season's #2 seeding.
Yet to meet in league play, the pair did square off in November for the semi-finals of the KitKing Trophy, with Reading sealing an 85-78 victory behind 26 points from Victor Olarerin.
Reading also ended Derby's National Cup dreams at the same stage earlier this month, winning 82-77, thanks to another strong outing from Olarerin.
That means the talented guard is likely to be heavily involved as Reading try to make it three in a row this weekend, alongside top scorers Mitch Clarke (16.9PPG) and Cup Final MVP Justin Hopkins (16.7PPG).
A shock loss to local rivals Nottingham Hoods last Saturday won't have helped morale in the Derby camp, with their grip on the league title they won a year ago already looking tenuous given Hemel's current plight.
Captain Malcolm Smith (18.4PPG) remains one of D1M's best when he's on form, whilst Rob Marsden was a Team of the Week pick last time out for his efforts in the Hoods' defeat.
Neither team can afford to lose any more ground to Hemel right now, but one side will have to dip out on Sunday afternoon.
.
Saturday contains four games this weekend, starting with Milton Keynes Breakers (7-6) hosting City of Birmingham Rockets (6-7).
D1M's mid table remains increasingly tight, making second-half contests between a number of teams that little bit more important.
With just two points separating fifth from dropping out of the playoffs entirely right now, both these teams will be fighting hard for the W.
Loughborough Riders (9-4) are still battling for position in the top four, and they'll use the motivation that either Derby or Reading will be slipping up this weekend as they try to fend off London Cavaliers (6-6).
Time is running out for Bradford Dragons (1-11) to pick up the wins they need to avoid D1M's trap door. With half the season gone, 12 regular-season games now remain, and Newcastle Knights (4-7) are up next.
After a rare loss at the National Basketball Performance Centre, Hemel Storm (10-0) will need to put their Cup disappointment behind them as they entertain a Worthing Thunder (2-11) team still scrapping hard near the foot of the standings.
Sunday contains some double-ups, as well as the feature contest between Reading and Derby.
Bradford and Loughborough both complete double-header weekends as they face off in West Yorkshire, whilst City of Birmingham Rockets do the same, taking on Nottingham Hoods (3-10) for their one game this weekend.
The contest will take place as part of the schedule for the SLB Trophy Final at the spectacular Utilita Arena, Birmingham. With an inspiring venue and what is sure to be a healthy local crowd, both teams will be hoping to put on a show in that one.
That just leaves what should be an exciting contest to finish the weekend as Essex Rebels (7-6) face a testing trip to Hemel.
5pm - Milton Keynes Breakers vs City of Birmingham Rockets - LIVE STATS / TICKETS
6pm - Loughborough Riders vs London Cavaliers - LIVE STATS / TICKETS
6:15pm - Bradford Dragons vs Newcastle Knights - LIVE STATS / TICKETS
7pm - Hemel Storm vs Worthing Thunder - LIVE STATS / TICKETS
4pm - Reading Rockets vs Derby Trailblazers - LIVE STATS / TICKETS
4:15pm - Bradford Dragons vs Loughborough Riders - LIVE STATS / TICKETS
6pm - City of Birmingham Rockets vs Nottingham Hoods - LIVE STATS / TICKETS
6pm - Hemel Storm vs Essex Rebels - LIVE STATS / TICKETS
Live stream details will be added as they become available
.
