Preview: Leicester Riders start SLB playoff campaign in Bristol

Leicester Riders take to the road to play the Bristol Flyers in the Super League Basketball Playoff Quarter-Final First Leg. 

The Riders are the second seed for the postseason with a 23-9 record. That earned them a first round matchup with the 13-19 Flyers, who they hold a 5-1 record against on the season.

This season’s playoffs are set to be tightly contested from top to bottom. There has been a feeling that anybody can beat anybody in the SLB, so the Riders will have to be locked in on top form to overcome the Flyers. 

Here’s how the first leg is shaping up…

Fixture information

Bristol Flyers vs Leicester Riders

Super League Basketball Playoffs

SGS Arena, Bristol

Friday, May 2, 7:30 pm

Leicester Riders rolling into postseason

The Riders played some of their best basketball of the season on the back end of the year. They finished their league campaign on a 6-1 winning run, which saw them challenge for the league title, falling only one win short of the top of the table. 

A congested April schedule saw them play nine games in a month and five games in the last 10 days of the season. They navigated it expertly, however, and can call themselves the in-form team as the Playoffs commence. 

“So proud of the guys,” said Head Coach Rob Paternostro after the season finale. “They were unfortunately given a schedule to end the season which was crazy, and they dealt with it pretty well. Playing Sunday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday is a challenge and they came through with big wins. 

“We were near the top of the table for most of the season so we were gunning for one, but once we lost the one seed we wanted to get the two. I think we deserved it. Our consistency across the season was excellent.”

The Riders won the season series against Bristol convincingly, but will want to continue to play to their exceedingly high standard in order to progress through to the semi-finals.

The season in statistics 

The Riders have impressed on both ends of the court this season, ranking near the top of every statistical category. 

They’re the number two scoring offence [87.4 ppg], the second most efficient team [47.4 FG%] and average the most assists per game [21.2]. 

Led by Zach Jackson, the league’s third leading scorer with 17.7 points per game, and Jaylin Hunter, who averaged the most assists in the league with 7 per game, they have a fluid offence with elite ball movement, swinging the ball around to the open man consistently. 

Meanwhile, their Charles Thompson-led defence was number three in points allowed [79.8] and number one in blocks per game [4.5]. Thompson led the league in blocks with 2.5 a night, and was joint second in rebounds with 7.8. 

Bristol Flyers lead with defence 

Bristol Flyers have had success on the season when battling out low-scoring affairs. They allowed the fourth-fewest points per game of any team [81.1]. Their 68-67 victory last time Bristol hosted the Riders was a clear example of that. 

Despite finishing the year as the second-lowest scorers, the Flyers’ offence did find form in the final games. The Flyers amassed at least 80 points in four of their last five games, and scored 97 to beat Manchester on the road. 

Should they continue their offensive form while showcasing their defensive prowess, the Flyers are a threat to anyone. Especially with the fourth-highest scorer in the league, Keddy Johnson, lining up at the guard spot. 

Where to watch

This game will be streamed live on DAZN 10 minutes before tip-off.