Manchester Giants coach Jeff Jones is hoping the lottery-like nature of basketball will work out in his side’s favour as they continue their play-offs charge.
The Giants suffered a tight defeat 82-83 at home against league leaders Newcastle Eagles last Friday but picked up a 100-90 victory against Surrey United.
That left them in ninth place – with the top eight progressing to the quarter-finals following the completion of the regular season on April 20 – and level on 24 points with Durham Wildcats and Plymouth Raiders.
“It’s basketball and everybody can beat everybody and rightly so,” said Jones, cursing the Giants’ luck against Newcastle.
“We beat Leicester at our place and could have beaten Newcastle – it’s just basketball.”
“We learned from it and we’ve tried to address the mistakes that we made in those games.”
Jones’ troops suffered a shock defeat in Surrey earlier in the season where they lost the fourth quarter 40-12.
There was no such horror show from the Manchester team this time around however and an almighty battle will surely ensue to make sure the Giants do not finish ninth again like last year.
“The win against Surrey keeps us going and keeps us in the play-off race,” said Jones.
“We have to get to a certain point, we have a target and if we achieve that we can get the play-offs.”
The Giants face BBL Trophy winners Worcester Wolves in their next game on April 6. For more information click here.
Durham and Plymouth, having played the same amount of games, are both on three-match losing streaks and the Giants will host the latter on April 13.
Image courtesy of Jack Hinds, with thanks.
