PLAYOFFS PREVIEW | ROAD TO MANCHESTER
It’s playoff time in the national basketball league division three and the road to Manchester begins this weekend. 50+ teams across the UK have now ended the regular season and only the league winners, runners up and two best third placed teams will continue in the showcase playoffs that will culminate in the Final on 22nd April at the National Basketball Performance Centre in Manchester.
Sixteen teams will battle it out to reach the final in three rounds of playoff games. The two best placed and currently unbeaten teams are Milton Keynes and Teesside Lions. Milton Keynes are rewarded with top seed as they hold a superior points difference and Teesside are awarded second seed meaning if both teams win all their games they will meet each other in the Final.
The Playoffs are a showcase event meaning the winner is not promoted via this route. That however does not diminish the prospect or ambitions of all teams wishing to reach the final, least of all Teesside Lions as the reigning playoff champions, and the 200+ fans they took to Manchester last season. The entire club is licking its lips at the dream of another Final and everyone is fired up and roaring to go.
If Teesside progress into the quarter final they will play the winner of UEL London Lions or University of Hertfordshire Storm in the quarter final on Sunday 9th April.
The semi final will take place on the weekend of 15/16th April.
Tickets for Lions playoff home games are available via TeessideLions.com although these are limited with around 800 tickets already gone for the big first round game at Eston Arena.
Tip is 2.30pm this Sunday at Eston Arena. Fans are advised to arrive early with doors open from 1.30pm.
Look out for a Teesside v Liverpool preview coming soon.
NBL D3 Playoffs Round 1
Cardiff Archers v TV Mohawks
Myerscough II v London United
Cardiff City v CoLA Southwark Pride
UEL London Lions v University of Hertfordshire Storm
Loughborough Riders II v Manchester Swarm
Teesside Lions v Liverpool
Cobham Cobras v Derby Trailblazers II
Milton Keynes Breakers v Kent Crusaders
