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Post by isthaturinal on Apr 27, 2023 17:05:43 GMT
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Post by spacejammer on Apr 27, 2023 21:52:34 GMT
Although I was wrong about Flyers and Giants I reckon Glads vs Nix will be a close one.
As for the other games in theory Riders and Lions should destroy Sharks and Eagles.
But I reckon Sharks have the potential to be the first round upset and suprise the Riders.
And for the Eagles I think it depends on what team Lions decide to send up.
However for the Eagles to stand any chance we need both Hamlet and French to be fit and included in the team.
Otherwise this could be over by halftime in the first leg.
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Post by sonjel on Apr 27, 2023 22:44:13 GMT
Go Eagles!!
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Post by massiveridersfan on Apr 28, 2023 7:23:45 GMT
Anyone know whether Menzies is fit to play tonight? Although I've been critical of his game, he certainly can be effective in defence and we'll need help for Nelson-Henry and Adekoya. Don't think we'll "destroy" Sharks tonight at all because they are a good match-up with us.
I'd love to see Eagles take the first leg against Lions and if Hamlet & French are fit to play then I think they could.
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Post by baldereagle on Apr 28, 2023 7:39:00 GMT
I believe French’s season has ended, which sadly means so have Eagles’ chances over two legs, unless……?
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Post by voise on Apr 28, 2023 9:36:01 GMT
for the Eagles I think it depends on what team Lions decide to send up. I think both teams will just play whoever is not injured, so I'm assuming for Eagles that means no French and for Lions no Dekker. Eagles have a punchers chance at home - both Gordon and Mockford can go off when they're locked in. I think the other two games could be competitive and hope they extend the tension for the second leg. |
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Post by D44 on Apr 28, 2023 11:43:34 GMT
I believe French’s season has ended, which sadly means so have Eagles’ chances over two legs, unless……? Two from Mockford, Kennedy, Cohn or Gordon go absolutely off it from 3. (It has happened and we've generally won games this season when one of those 4 have had a good three shooting night). London have a bad night from 3 and we get flakey fouls out in 20 minutes Sharma (after being roughed up by Darius no doubt) rather than Beastmode Sharma. |
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Post by spacejammer on Apr 28, 2023 13:28:18 GMT
I believe French’s season has ended, which sadly means so have Eagles’ chances over two legs, unless……? Two from Mockford, Kennedy, Cohn or Gordon go absolutely off it from 3. (It has happened and we've generally won games this season when one of those 4 have had a good three shooting night). London have a bad night from 3 and we get flakey fouls out in 20 minutes Sharma (after being roughed up by Darius no doubt) rather than Beastmode Sharma. To be honest after last night I'm just hoping that the Eagles can somehow play like the Newcastle United Football team have been playing the past 2 matches. Even if we win I cannot see us winning that much but I would certainly be happy if we just won the first leg. |
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Post by irf on Apr 28, 2023 18:50:55 GMT
Whole Lions Eagles playoff is all over after first quarter
Riders doing same to Sharks
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Post by dexter on Apr 28, 2023 20:19:33 GMT
Disappointingly not close games.
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Post by voise on Apr 28, 2023 20:30:42 GMT
I think single digits is not too bad an outcome for the Sharks but the problem is they have to play riders, away!
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Post by massiveridersfan on Apr 28, 2023 21:03:09 GMT
Winning by 18 (biggest lead) would been great but to win away was still very good, especially without Menzies who would have reduced Koch's tally. Sharks can still beat us and progress but being at home is an advantage. Moreover, I think Jackson will improve his points score in the second leg.
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Post by spacejammer on Apr 28, 2023 21:58:06 GMT
Well we were outclassed tonight, despite a brave performance it was clear after the first quarter we weren't toppling London.
Apart from Ben Mockford played the best I seen him all season it looked like we were just trying to stay afloat and you could tell towards the end of the game it was hard to see the team struggle to contain their frustrations.
Unless some sort of Freaky Friday was to happen and the teams reverse in the 2nd game it looks like the Monday match should be nothing more then a friendly exhibition match up.
But I hope now the Eagles can look to start rebuilding for next season and come back stronger.
And I'm glad we atleast qualified for the playoffs this time.
As for London tonight although they hammered us I had to respect the level of passion they had for each other as team.
Even from Sam Dekker although he didn't play tonight I did like how he supported his team from the side.
And the Lions got to put on a clinic tonight and play with alot of freedom.
And Zubcic whilst he clearly enjoyed winding up the crowd who gave him more then a fair amount of stick.
I thought his personality did add some entertainment to a game having a villain to cheer against and I think he secretly enjoyed rubbing it in the face of the Eagles fans tonight and I couldn't blame him.
The only thing that frustrated me with the Lions was some of the arguing to the officials and the flopping which I thought was unnecessary given their calibre.
Sometimes I was sat there thinking what's the point of arguing when your 25 points up? But again it kept the game entertaining atleast.
Finally as for the officials whilst the game wasn't close, I thought the officials had a great game and called the game well.
I did wonder if after the reception last time we played London at home they would be under a lot more pressure this time.
However since the game wasn't really close we certainly couldn't make a case this time.
Overall game over Eagles tonight but as for the playoffs on a whole.
I feel the only teams that may have a chance at defeating London would be Leicester or Bristol.
And even then I could only see them losing in the final at the O2 and not over 2 legs.
For any Sharks fans if they so happen to make it past the Riders.
Then it's safe to say their next match up will be 2 legs vs the Lions.
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Post by D44 on Apr 28, 2023 22:01:10 GMT
No suprise to see Eagles blown out by Lions. Eagles without French and Hamlet playing limited minutes and not looking fit. Could have been even worse were it not for an absolutely ridiculous shooting night from Mockford.
In the other games Leicester looked comfortable against Sharks. Glads looked pretty poor against short handed Cheshire, they miss Tape, increased roles for the ridiculously good Archibald and Ulph seem to be suiting Nix just fine.
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Post by reallyoldfeenixfan2 on Apr 28, 2023 22:05:57 GMT
Difficult to argue with the fact that Nix have got the most destructive back court at the moment. Isolate and double team Larry Austin leaving Marcus Evans with space. Sort him out and Archibald promptly drops 35 points on you.
Amazing team performance playing high intensity fast basketball. Is a 16 point lead enough to take to tomorrow's game. Hope so with only 7 players tonight, reminds me of the old 6 man rotation of the Jet wash era.
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Post by baldereagle on Apr 28, 2023 22:07:57 GMT
Agreed -if Mockford had found his form a couple of months earlier it could have been a totally different season. Big shout out for Darius though - to play 34 min and still get 5 assists is phenomenal at his age for what may be his last ever home game  |
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Post by baldeagle on Apr 29, 2023 7:31:18 GMT
Agreed -if Mockford had found his form a couple of months earlier it could have been a totally different season. Big shout out for Darius though - to play 34 min and still get 5 assists is phenomenal at his age for what may be his last ever home game Hopefully not DD’s final ever home game, but you never know. London just too good for a short-handed Eagles last night, and Monday’s a formality. Lions may be without Decker but strangely have benefitted from injuries to their young development players meaning that their rotations are just continually stacked. By contrast, despite Mockford’s heroics last night (where has that been all year?) Eagles’ injuries made it a no-contest. French’s injury is crucial, and Hamlet is clearly not right either, effectively leaving them with just 2 imports to take on London. Unsurprisingly it wasn’t enough although they showed decent spirit. |
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Post by spacejammer on Apr 29, 2023 7:52:47 GMT
As for the other games not impossible for Caledonia Gladiators but they are going to need a big comeback against Nix if they want to advance.
Although as people have highlighted the short turnaround time could potentially have an affect on both teams.
Whilst Riders vs Sharks as I expected could be a nailbitter.
I would still favour the Riders since their 9 points up and at home.
Although I reckon Sheffield could make this an interesting one.
Which I hope so since the game is on Sky.
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Post by irf on Apr 29, 2023 8:08:26 GMT
Agreed -if Mockford had found his form a couple of months earlier it could have been a totally different season. Big shout out for Darius though - to play 34 min and still get 5 assists is phenomenal at his age for what may be his last ever home game Is there any reason you think he's retiring other than he's just another year older? Has something been said? |
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Post by baldereagle on Apr 29, 2023 11:51:06 GMT
Nothing to my knowledge about DD, and I'd love to have him back as he is still a remarkable asset to have, but he must be the oldest guy in the BBL by now, and time marches on.
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