Danny Huffor says that Cheshire Phoenix can put together a successful run of form and book their place in the end-of-season BBL Play-Offs, but only if they can address their inability to perform for a full 40 minutes.

Huffor has been in a rich vein of form of late having joined the Nix in October and dropped 28 points on his return to former club Glasgow Rocks on Sunday as Cheshire produced arguably their best display of the season to triumph 97-87 in Scotland.

But they were unable to make it two wins in three days as they went down 76-70 at home to London Lions on Sunday . And Huffor believes that he and his gelling side need to be ready to play hard for a full game, not just in fits and spurts.

“We need to play for 40 minutes, it’s not a 30-minute game, no team is going to walk in here and let us beat them,” said Huffor, who hails from Marco Island, Florida.

“We have to be ready to play for 40 minutes and play great defence and let that translate into our offence.

“We’re gelling better now. We’ve had Quincy (Taylor) come in and he is getting used to his role and is doing a fine job.

“We just need to keep gelling together, obviously we are a brand new team but I think we are going to be able to put a good run together and we have got to believe in ourselves.”

Danny Huffor has been in excellent form of late
Danny Huffor has been in excellent form of late

And 28-year-old guard Huffor, who hit 19 points in the loss to London, believes that this weekend’s visit of high-flying Leicester Riders to the Cheshire Oaks Arena (5.30pm) is as good a time as any to put together a run.

Leicester, who made their debut at the new LGS Arena in front of a sell-out 2,400 crowd on Saturday night, beat league leaders Newcastle Eagles on Friday to put themselves firmly into contention for title honours.

But Huffor believes that there is nothing to fear for his Cheshire side and has backed them to come away with the win this Sunday, despite the fact that the Riders have won 14 of their 15 BBL league game this season.

“Leicester are a really good team and play with a lot of energy,” said Huffor, who played his college basketball at NCAA Division II school Newberry College. They play about 10 players, all of which are really good.

“They play about 10 players, all of which are really good. They’ve got Drew Sullivan coming off the bench and he is a great leader and a starter that can play anytime, anywhere pretty much.

“We have just got to come in and be ready to play 40 minutes. They are a great defensive team, we are a great offensive team. It’s going to go back and forth. If we come in ready then it is going to be a good game and we should come out with the win.”