The Leicester Riders are back at the Mattioli Arena this weekend as they prepare to face Manchester Basketball, with the focus firmly on building momentum ahead of the Super League Basketball playoffs.
It has been a challenging period for the Riders following the international break, with injuries and roster changes disrupting rhythm. However, there were strong positives in Sunday’s hard-fought overtime win against the Caledonia Gladiators.
Flynn Boardman-Raffet led the way with an outstanding 24 points and 8 rebounds, continuing to be a key figure on both ends of the floor. Keddy Johnson added 16 points and 5 assists, controlling the tempo, while Xavier Bledson matched that 16-point contribution alongside 4 rebounds and 3 assists.
Credit: Leicester Riders | Nathan Green
Travis Evee provided balance with 10 points and 5 assists, linking play effectively, while Victor Ndoukou made an impact on the glass with 8 rebounds. Those performances highlighted the growing cohesion within the squad something Head Coach Rob Paternostro will be keen to build on.
Manchester arrives in Leicester off a narrow defeat to the Bristol Flyers, a game that showcased their offensive threats. From a Riders perspective, much of the defensive attention will be on Jordan Johnson, who led all scorers with 24 points and 5 assists. Oluwaseyi Adetukasi added 14 points, while Patrick Smith Jr and Donovan Mitchell both contributed 11 with Mitchell also pulling down 9 rebounds.
For the Riders, slowing down Manchester’s key scorers will be crucial. Limiting Johnson’s impact in particular could allow the Riders to dictate the tempo. At the other end, Leicester will look to continue their improved offensive flow, with Bledson’s perimeter shooting and Johnson’s attacking play providing multiple scoring options.
Rebounding will again be a key battle. After a strong showing against Caledonia, Menzies and Ndoukou will be tasked with controlling the boards and limiting second-chance opportunities.
With confidence building after their last outing and home support behind them, the Riders will be aiming to deliver another strong performance and secure a valuable win as the push toward the playoffs continues.
Tickets for the game are on sale via our website here.
