Where and when
Cheshire Oaks Arena, 5.30pm Sunday, October 25.
Summary
Cheshire Phoenix host the team that ended their 2014-15 season on Sunday, seeking to start to building their new home into a fortress. John Lavery's men have won three times on the road this term, but are yet to taste victory at the new Cheshire Oaks Arena. Phoenix were well-beaten by Esh Group Eagles Newcastle last time out but remain positive ahead of welcoming a Lions side that recovered from wasting a 20-point lead to inflict an overtime BBL Cup defeat on Surrey Scorchers.
Last time they met
Cheshire Phoenix 85 London Lions 77 (BBL Play-off Semi-Finals, second leg - Lions won 158-153 on aggregate, Northgate Arena, May 3, 2015)
Form
Phoenix: WLWWLL
Lions: WWLLW
Three Points
Phoenix this week signed former Glasgow Rocks guard Danny Huffor, with Martyn Gayle departing, and he could make his debut against Lions
Lions forward Kai Williams played for Phoenix during the 2011/12 and 2013/14 seasons
Phoenix have won seven of the last 12 meetings between these teams
What they say
Phoenix coach John Lavery said : "Losing Demond Watt will really hurt them. He is a fantastic talent. You could see that when they played Bristol, and London lost the boards heavily in that game.
"They have brought certain guys in to do different roles and if you lose one of your main cogs, you've got to change everything. But Nigel (Lloyd, Lions coach) has got them playing well and they will be very pleased to have picked up that overtime win (against Surrey).
"We know it's going to be a hard-fought battle at the Cheshire Oaks Arena. We are up for it and we going to come out and do what we need to do," said Lions forward Jamal Williams
"It's going to be tough, as it always is in Cheshire. They've got a new venue now and will be hungry to get that first win at home. They've brought some good players in and of course they still have David Aliu, who is a great veteran leader for them. I expect another tough game like we had with Surrey."
Tickets: www.cheshirephoenix.com
