Leicester Riders host Sheffield Sharks in their League home opener for the inaugural season of Super League Basketball.
The Riders, undefeated on the season through seven games, take on the Sharks for the first time since last season’s playoff matchup, which Sheffield won on the third and final game of the series.
Leicester look for get back, and a place at the top of the Championship standings with a 2-0 record in the League.
Here’s a look at the numbers…
Clash of the titans
The League’s two leading scorers go head-to-head in this one, with Zach Jackson lining up against Sheffield’s Rodney Chatman.
Jackson’s play has earned him back-to-back mentions in the SLB Team of the Week, his 19 points per game leading all players after a 20 point outing in Surrey.
The American wing has justified his pre-season hype with elite scoring on the season, putting up 20 on four occasions, and a season-high 27 in Bristol.
Chatman’s 18.8 points per game average is hot on Jackson’s heels, however. He’s off to a red hot start to the League season, putting up 24 and 9 last time out against Bristol Flyers.
That’s off the back of two 20 point games to end the Sharks’ Trophy campaign- the third year pro hitting the ground running in his first season in British basketball.
SLB fans can look forward to two elite bucket getters going head-to-head at the Mattioli Arena.
Leicester lock down
The Riders defence has been locked in during the early stages of the season.
It allows the fewest points (73.5) and field goal percentage (41.7%) in Super League Basketball, leading to the only sub-100 defensive rating in the League.
The Riders have allowed 80 points only once this season, in an overtime thriller against the Bristol Flyers.
They don’t allow second possessions, ranking first among all teams in rebounding percentage led by Charles Thompson who leads all players in rebound per game with 9.7.
Nothing easy comes against the Riders. On offence, they turn the ball over on only 13.75% of their possessions, the least in the League, leading to the fewest fastbreak points allowed.
Therefore Sheffield, who find 15.30 points off turnovers per game, will need to explore other avenues to find success on the offensive side of the ball.
Three point battle
These sides have been cooking from deep to start the season! The Sharks and Riders rank first and second respectively in three point percentage, with some of British basketball’s deadliest sharpshooters lining up from outside.
Sheffield’s Jordan Ratinho, knocking down an incredible 52% of his threes, leads the SLB in three point percentage, and is one of five Sharks shooting over 40% from distance. Former Rider Jamell Anderson is a member of that group with a career-high 40% so far.
Meanwhile the Riders, who lead all teams in three pointers attempted, are led by Blake Bowman’s 50% rate. The young Brit is enjoying a career year so far after his three point explosion in Bristol, which contributed to a three-game stretch in double figures scoring.
On the other end, Leiecster enter this game with confidence in stopping Sheffield’s three point threat. Teams have put up 29.3% from behind the arc against the Riders, bettered only by Newcastle Eagles.
Their opponents don’t have such a stellar track record in this regard, giving up 37.8% from deep in their games so far, and will need to lock down on the perimeter to prevent the Riders from torching them.
Don’t miss it!
Tickets are still available for the game. Get in the stands and get behind the team!
