Manchester Giants coach Jeff Jones is adamant his side are a match for any team in the BBL as the Glasgow Rocks come into town on Sunday.
Despite a devastating last gasp defeat last weekend against the Leicester Riders, the Giants are in a confident mood heading into to the game at the Wright Robinson.
Few would have given Jones’ men a scrap of hope against one of the toughest teams in the league with a depleted squad on Sunday.
But the veteran American coach described the performance at the home of the champions as the best his side have played since their return to the league last season.
“The Rocks give us trouble match-up-wise, they have a very good inside and outside game which causes us trouble,” he said after the 89-87 defeat last Sunday left the Giants third from bottom.
“But we have demonstrated we can play with anyone in this league and shown a tremendous desire to work for each other and have become closer as a unit because of it.”
The Manchester outfit face a Rocks side that has been in scintillating form of late.
Heading in to this weekend’s showdown, the Glasgow side are without a defeat in their last three games, with two of those away from home.
Earlier in the season the Giants struggled to contain the impressive Daniel Northern as they fell to a 100-86 loss and must produce defensively if they are to have any hope of grabbing the points.
However, Giants’ in-form forward David Aliu is well into his stride and Rocks coach Sterling Davis is well aware of the threat he poses.
“David Aliu is playing incredible basketball right now,” the player-coach said.
“Aliu is really putting the team on his back and the other players seem to really be rallying around him.”
The American coach has certainly got it right as the Manchester outfit rely heavy on their star forward with Stefan Gill and Mike Bernard still sidelined through injury.
The Rocks big man Northern was also keen to highlight the impressive offensive capabilities shown by the Giants in recent works.
He added: “Manchester score at a high rate.
“They have a few key players at the moment, but they also have role players who can explode and have a great game at any time, so the main threat would be their offence, and whether we can score with them.
“The league is very competitive, every team must play their best regardless of their opponents’ record, or they will lose on any given night.”
In the lead up to this game the Giants have announced a reduction in prices for the remaining league games this season. To find out more check out the club website.
Image courtesy of Jack Hinds, with thanks.
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