Wolves aiming to enhance their top-four claim (From Worcester News)

Wolves aiming to enhance their top-four claim

12:00pm Saturday 18th February 2012 in Worcester Wolves By Steve Carley - Midlands Sports Journalist of the Year 2013, @stevecarleyWN

WORCESTER Wolves host Milton Keynes Lions tonight (7pm) looking to make it win number 14 of the season in the British Basketball League.

Last weekend’s 100-80 triumph over fourth-placed Plymouth Raiders kept Wolves second in the table and another two points at the University of Worcester will further enhance their claim for a top-four finish.

It is also an opportunity to win the head-to-head battle against the Lions, which currently stands at 1-1 — Wolves winning 103-92 in December to avenge November’s 99-82 defeat, both games taking place in Buckinghamshire.

Director of basketball Paul James said: “The first time we played them we got caught up in their kind of game and paid the price.

“The second time we were much more focused and disciplined in our approach to the game and our quality came through.

“That was a good win for us as the Lions play especially well on their own court and are tough to beat there.

“The Lions are an up-tempo team who use the running game to try and outscore teams. They are very active and gamble a lot on defence so we need to take real care of the ball.”

Wolves are also bidding to build on their Plymouth success, inspired by a 40-point haul from forward Tommy Freeman, which earned him a place in the BBL team of the week.

“It was a fantastic team performance, a clinic in offensive execution,” head coach James said.

“Tommy was outstanding at both ends of the floor. It was the best offensive display I have seen from anybody in the BBL this season.

“Arnas Kazlauskas, Sherrad Prezzie-Blue and David Watts also had excellent games for us.”

He added: “We carried our excellent form against Newcastle into the Plymouth game and I knew that if we could get anywhere near that level of play against the Raiders that we would win comfortably.”

Tonight’s match will be the second in 24 hours for Milton Keynes as they were also due to host Leicester Riders last night.