It’s perhaps fitting that ahead of this weekend’s potential title deciding blockbuster, four players from Riders and Eagles are blowing hot and find themselves in our starting line-up
Neil Watson (Leicester Riders)
When it comes to finding a rich vein of form down the season stretch, look no further than the Riders’ playmaker. Watson has been at the top of his game of late and was a big factor in Leicester soaring past London Lions as he completed a magnificent double-double. The guard racked up 21 points from a tremendous 62.5% from the floor and handed out a terrific ten assists – as well as grabbing four steals.
Greg Streete (Bristol Flyers)
It’s the second time that Streete has managed to take a place in our fantastic five and the Bristol Flyers’ favourite returns after putting Plymouth University Raiders to the sword in the south-west derby. The guard exploded for a spectacular 30 points and was a real handful for his opponents as he came within a solitary rebound of completing fine double-double. He also came up with four assists and a block.
Tyler Bernardini (Leicester Riders)
Also at the centre of Leicester’s win against London Lions, Bernardini was outstanding as he found the hot-hand early and got his first seven shots to find nothing but net. He amassed a scintillating 23 points and made a brilliant 73% from the field, including four big triples. But it wasn’t all about his shooting prowess, since the guard also did some of the heavy lifting on the glass with eight rebounds, as well as handing out five assists.
Charles Smith (Esh Group Eagles Newcastle)
It’s the seventh time that Smith has sealed an All Star starting place and is now eying up his Eagles’ colleague Rahmon Fletcher, who leads the way with eight. Last year’s BBL MVP produced the best performance of the week in his team’s must-win game against Lions. He illuminated proceedings in the capital with a classic double-double of 21 points and 14 rebounds, to help his team take the title race down to the wire.
Scott Martin (Esh Group Eagles Newcastle)
It’s appearance number five for the Eagles’ forward as he also shone brightly for the north-east club at the Copper Box. Martin matched his team-mates’ tally after also corralling 21 points and did so with a nicely balanced 67% inside-outside shooting performance which included three of four from downtown. Having harvested six rebounds, he also came up with three big defensive plays after swatting a trio of shots.
Off the bench – Kwan Waller (Leeds Force), Rahmon Fletcher (Esh Group Eagles Newcastle), Mike Tuck (Sheffield Sharks), Nick Lewis (London Lions), Perris Blackwell (Worcester Wolves), Riley Grabau (Glasgow Rocks), John Barber (Sheffield Sharks).
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