With Cheshire Phoenix grasping for the final play-off place in the BBL Championship, they take their final step into the unknown on Sunday as they head south to face Surrey Heat.
The Heat are the only side the Nix have not faced yet this season, their early-season game in November having been postponed amid off-court problems in Chester.
After a patchy run in the Championship, the Phoenix need results to keep their post-season hopes alive and head coach Matt Lloyd is determined to pick up points in Guildford.
“Surrey will be a tough road trip and we need to bounce back in the league,” he said. “We need to keep pushing to the end as anything can happen, people seem to beating each other of late.
“Anything is possible when you put your mind to it and if we did make it through to the playoffs we would give it our best effort.”
Sunday’s game is important to Heat coach Creon Raftopoulos too, as his side look to get their campaign back on track after slipping to sixth in the league.
“I feel the outcome of the three games we have against the Phoenix will play a big part in us getting a top-four finish,” he said. “Every game is important at this point in the season, we are fighting to get back into the top four and Phoenix are fighting for a play-off spot.
“Chez Marks is an experienced player who knows this league and Jerome Gumbs has proven he can also put up big numbers. It’s important we respect all their players as they have five players averaging double figures.”
There could be some key personal milestones passed during the game. Heat’s British forward Sam Cricelli is in line for his 100th BBL appearance and he is four defensive rebounds of 500, while Nix veteran Shawn Myers needs three more assists to reach the career 500 milestone.
