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BBL Play-Off Final Preview

Who will make it to Wembley Arena?
The 28th April 2013 will see the top two teams in the BBL League collide in the BBL play-off final at Wembley Arena as the Leicester Riders and Newcastle Eagles clash!

Newcastle beat Leicester in the 2012 play-off final 71-62 at the NIA to complete a clean sweep of the BBL's trophies with Charles Smith being named the games MVP.

This year the tides have turned. Leicester have already claimed the BBL regular league season and the BBL Cup at the expense of the Eagles while surprisingly losing the BBL Trophy final to the Sheffield Sharks.

The Journey

 The Leicester Riders finished 10 points better off than Newcastle Eagles as they topped the BBL League standings with only three defeats to the Eagles eight.

Newcastle finished second in the BBL League standings with three of the eight defeats coming against Leicester.

Leicester faced the London Lions in the first round of the play-offs, following the Lions win against the Manchester Giants to secure their place.

The Riders won the away (70-68) and home (73-61) leg of the tie to secure a semi-final game against the Plymouth Raiders.

Newcastle's play-off journey started with a tie against BBL Trophy winning Sheffield Sharks. The Eagles proved too strong winning home (85-70) and away (84-81) to move into the semi's and face Surrey Heat.

The Riders eased past Plymouth in the semi-finals with a 30 point aggregate lead following a 80-66 away win and 76-60 home win.

The Eagles also eased to a win against Surrey with a 110- 82 home win and despite a 96-92 away defeat they managed a 24 point victory.

Stats

 -The Leicester Riders have only lost five games all season (three league and two trophy).

-The Newcastle Eagles are current holders of the BBL play-off crown following a win against Leicester.

-Andrew Sullivan is the Riders average top scorer this season* with 14.3 points a game.

-Joe Chapman of Newcastle has the most average assists for any teamthis season with 5.5.

-Leicester are unbeaten against Newcastle this season including three league games and the BBL Cup Final.

*Having Played 25 or more games this season.



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