London Lions vs Hapoel Tel Aviv: The Biggest Revenge Game of the Season
The fast-approaching clash against Hapoel Tel Aviv will serve as one of the biggest revenge games of the season for the London Lions after losing the first encounter 76-59.
During the first game, London lost Sam Dekker to an unfortunate injury which kept the former NBA star out for several games. However, the talented combo forward, now top 10 in scoring averaging 16.9 points per game, is set to return against the five-time Israeli Basketball Premier League (Winner Basket League) champions.
Sam Dekker will join fellow former NBA star and Greek national player Kosta Koufos who is top 10 in rebounds (7.1) and blocks (1.0), recent signing Jordan Taylor, who is top 10 in assists (5.4), London’s third-leading scorer (11.8), and British national star player Luke Nelson.
Hapoel Tel Aviv’s charge will be led by Israeli superstar Tomer Ginat, former NBA star and Round 9 MVP Jordan Mcrae, JCovan Brown, and Jaylen Hoard, who is eighth in PIR (18.3).
Recent signing Chinanu Onuaku will also provide British fans with an up-close look at his famous double underhand free throw shot.
London enters the contest following two tough losses to Turk Telekom Ankara and Paris Basketball, respectively, with a 4-win and 5-loss record and sits in seventh place in Group B. In contrast, Tel Aviv, following wins against Slask Wroclaw and Promitheas Patras, sits in fourth place with a 5-win and 4-loss record. As congested as Group B is, neither team will want to endure another loss, as they both have one eye on the playoffs.
London Lions Stats
Last Five Games: LLWWW
Points: 79.7
Rebounds: 37.7
Assists: 18.0
Steal: 6.7
Blocks: 3.2
PIR: 90.7
Hapoel Tel Aviv Stats
Last Five Games: WWLLL
Points: 87.4
Rebounds: 39.0
Assists: 21.4
Steal: 8.3
Blocks: 2.8
PIR: 105.2
The world-renowned Wembley Arena will be filled with two sets of proud fans. “The Pride,” London Lions’ singing fanbase and Tel Aviv’s famed passionate supporter, affectionately known as “Mishpakha Aduma” (“The Red Family” in English), singing and cheering their respective squads to a possible victory.
“We’re excited about the opportunity to host Hapoel Tel Aviv here in London on Wednesday. They’re an extremely talented team and have an outstanding fan base that travels well, which will create a great atmosphere at Wembley arena. This is another opportunity to continue to showcase British basketball on one of the biggest stages, and we’re looking forward to the challenge.”
London Lions Head Coach, Ryan Schmidt
With so much on the line, expect this to be a showdown for the ages: The Lions vsThe Red Devils.
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