PLYMOUTH Raiders will be hoping to prevent an eighth consecutive defeat on Sunday when they entertain fifth-placed London Lions at the Pavilions in the BBL Championships (4pm).
Jay Marriott’s side need to try and bounce back from Friday’s frustrating 93-88 over-time loss at eighth-placed Sheffield Sharks.
Raiders looked like they might end their poor run of results at the EIS Sheffield when they were 10 points up with just six minute of normal time to go.
However, Sheffield, who had trailed most of the game, went on a 10-0 burst to pull level.
Raiders, though, went four points up with one minute to go, but a free-throw and a three-pointer by John Barber took the match into over-time, where the home side stole the victory.
Raiders, with Brent Benson top scoring with 19, had been 25-23 up at the end of the first quarter, 40-38 in front at half-time and were leading 64-55 at the end of the third.
The defeat has left Raiders’ play-off hopes all but mathematically over. They currently sit in 11th spot 10 points behind Bristol in eighth.
Bristol have played five games more than Raiders, but ninth-placed Manchester are eight points ahead of Marriott’s team having only played one more match.
Marriott said ahead of this weekend’s matches: “At this point in the play-off race we are very much on the outside looking in, bar a very successful run of games we have left ourselves probably too much to do.
“If we found consistency then we always have a chance, but right now it’s a struggle.”
Marriott just wants his team to return to winning ways, especially in front of their own fans.
However, he knows it will not be easy against London.
He said: “What’s dangerous about London right now is they have had a mini dip in form and they always bounce back strong.
“They are extremely physical and athletic, never taking a play of, they will hound us for sure.”