Rocks into top eight as Play-Offs race heats up

There were defeats for the BBL top two on the weekend, while the gap from 5th-10th remains very tight after more twists and turns.

Radisson RED Glasgow Rocks moved into the Play-Off places with a 76-66 triumph over league-leading London Lions in a repeat of the 2019 BBL Cup Final. Bouna Ndiaye top scored with 19 points as the Rocks secured another home win to move to 11-11 in eighth spot.

Leicester Riders began the weekend by falling to a 77-74 loss at London City Royals as the home side battled back from a double-digit deficit with a huge fourth quarter. Rob Paternostro's side bounced back to re-close the gap at the top with an 80-84 success at Surrey Scorchers with 17 points and 14 rebounds from Tim Williams, which was followed by the Lions' defeat in Glasgow.

Plymouth Raiders secured a potentially important head-to-head over Manchester Giants with an 89-99 victory on the road. Paul James' side move to 12-14 as Devontavius Payne top scored with 22 points, followed by Rashad Hassan's 21 and 20 from Donte Nicholas.

The Lions had started the weekend by claiming their 20th league win with an 89-73 victory over DBL Sharks Sheffield, who in turn bounced back by remaining in the capital to see off London City Royals. Atiba Lyons' side inflicted a first home defeat in the league on the Royals with a 65-72 success.

"Anytime you can get a win on the road is great," said Chris Alexander. "Having a back-to-back on the road is not easy so for us to split was good especially getting back our captain and continuing to merge as a team with our new guys."

Esh Group Eagles Newcastle picked up two wins on the weekend as they followed up an 82-64 home win against Bristol Flyers with a 78-90 success at Cheshire Phoenix as Rahmon Fletcher finished with 27 points and 12 assists.

Meanwhile, Worcester Wolves recorded their fourth league win with an impressive display on BBC Sport as 23 points and 19 rebounds from Deshawn Freeman helped them beat the Giants, 97-78.

There is another game played on Tuesday evening as the Rocks host the Royals in a Trophy Semi-Final repeat.