After 30 rounds of enthralling action, the 2015-16 BBL regular season reaches its conclusion with a blockbuster weekend which sees the Championship title and the final Play-Off spot decided. Leicester Riders and Esh Group Eagles Newcastle split the first two pieces of silverware this season, and go into the final round with identical 28-3 league records ahead of tonight's huge clash at the LCS Arena.
Victory for the Riders will seal their first league title since 2012-13, while the Eagles know that they can defend their Championship crown with back-to-back victories this weekend. While Leicester travel to the capital to face London Lions on a final day that features all 12 teams in action, Newcastle are on the road against Cheshire Phoenix, on Sunday.
And, Eagles point guard Rahmon Fletcher believes the season finale is a fitting finish to a long campaign, for both teams. "I think it's good for the league; the top teams battling for the league title is so fitting," he declared. "We both have worked all season for this moment so you couldn't have wrote it any better.
"It's the perfect way to end a long season for both teams and the league - it's a huge game and we will definitely be up for it. "I love these moments. It's games like this that as a kid, you'd practice by yourself counting down the clock, like you were Kobe.
"It's one of those moments and I wouldn't want to be going to war with any other team-mates than the guys in the Newcastle locker room." He added: "The key for us is to play our game and adjust as the game goes on. "We've played them so many times so we all know each other. It's about who wants it more and it's going to be a great game."
Meanwhile, there's still one more spot in the post-season up for grabs and it's advantage Leeds Force in the battle for a top-eight finish with Matt Newby's side qualifying with wins in their final two games. Leeds host Manchester Giants tonight, before taking on Surrey Scorchers on the road on the final day of the regular season on Sunday.
However, Plymouth University Raiders will be waiting in the wings of any potential slip-up from Leeds and they can snatch a place in the Play-Offs if they defeat Sheffield Sharks at home on Sunday, and Leeds fail to win both of their games. New Zealand international Duane Bailey has called on his side to remain positive ahead of their must-win game and wants to end the regular season on a high regardless of their Play-Offs fate.
"I think it's extremely important we keep our mindset positive for Sunday's game because anything can happen in the next few days," he insisted. "You never know - Leeds could lose both games, and obviously that's what I want. "I believe we can win on Sunday, 100%, and it's an important game for the team whether we are in the Play-Offs or not.
"Momentum for next season is important too, especially for the club and the fans, who have given us so much this season and we owe them a great win on Sunday." Elsewhere, two teams battling it out for a third place finish are at home this evening as Worcester Wolves entertain Cheshire Phoenix, and Sheffield welcome Surrey to the EIS.
The Wolves need to better Sheffield's results this weekend having lost the series head-to-head between the two and Paul James' side close out the regular season in Scotland as they face Glasgow Rocks at the Emirates Arena. In the only game on today, Bristol Flyers play at home against London Lions before heading on the road the next day to face Manchester Giants in the final game of the season.
