London Lions II continue their push for the NBL Division One play-off spot when they travel to Nottingham Hoods on Saturday afternoon.
Hood finished bottom of the table last season but with relegation suspended due to Covid-19 they stayed in the top flight and spent heavily in the summer. Last week’s 20-point home loss against champions-elect Solent Kestrels effectively ended their title hopes, but they go into the game still challenging for second spot in a congested table, and are currently joint fourth with a 12-5 record.
Seven footer Morakinyo Williams who joined from Leicester Warriors in the summer leads Ben Stanley’s side in both points (17.9ppg) and rebounds (9.2rpg) while Kyle Jimenez dishes out 7.4 assists per game.
When the teams met earlier in the season, Lions II produced one of their best performances of the season as a strong fourth period paved the way for an 84-80 victory.
Lions shock win against second placed Worthing Thunder last week saw them retain their place in the final play-off spot. Lions will be hoping that Jase Harrison – who leads them in assists and steals – will return from injury and that the four players who missed the Thunder game with Covid-19 will also be available.
Meanwhile there’s a battle of the Division Three Lions at Barking Abbey on Saturday as BA face University of East London. Leaders UEL are closing in on the London division title while Barking Abbey still have an outside chance of clinching second spot.
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