ALTHOUGH Jets were easy victors at the Northgate on Sunday, their 87-84 defeat at Thames Valley on Saturday leaves Newcastle level on points with them at the BBL summit, writes Christopher Beesley.
With both sides having just two games of the regular season left to play, Friday's showdown between them in the North East is now a 'winner takes all' clash for who finishes top of the league.
If Jets triumph at the Metro FM Arena then their destiny is in their own hands and victory on the final day of the regular season at home to London Towers will secure them top spot.
Jets can even afford to lose to Towers if they beat Fabulous Flournoy's side by more than nine points on Friday, thus taking the head-to-head against Newcastle.
However, any win for Eagles, who go to Sheffield in their final game, would secure them first place, regardless of the results on Sunday.
Coach Paul Smith said: 'The talent is there with our squad, it's just the belief I've got to work on to convince this team they can be champions. Friday's match will be the biggest game in British basketball for a couple of years. We're going to have to do it the hard way with Eagles spurred on by 6,000 screaming Geordies.
'I was pleased that I was able to use 10 players against Leicester and all 10 were able to contribute. Riders aren't a terrible team, they'd only lost by six points to Towers the night before but you match up well against some teams and not so well against others.'
Inspired by a majestic dis-play from captain Calvin Davis, Jets took control from the start.
Leading 28-21 at the end of the first quarter, their advantage had been extended to 55-38 by the interval.
Jets went into the final period 86-57 up. But the game, which was in danger of becoming an unforgettable training-like affair, was salvaged by some slick party pieces late on.
Anthony Martin scythed through Riders' defence on several occasions to score some coast-to-coast baskets while DJ Harrison and Davis treated the crowd to spectacular dunks, the latter executing a thunderous onehanded tomahawk effort.
Jets' scorers: Davis (39); Harrison (18); Myers (17); Martin (11); Simpson (10); Herriman (7); Moore (6); Murphy (3); Singleton & Brandreth (both 2).
