Sheffield Sharks player-coach Atiba Lyons is still looking for improvements from his table-topping side as they host Guildford Heat on Friday evening.

“It will come down to our team defence” he said. “It is vital that we step up or defence from our recent games because we have been giving up to many points. Julius Joseph and Chad McKnight has had some big games for Heat this season, but they have a few players that can lead them in scoring.”

Lyons is in no doubt that Heat pose a threat to his team’s hopes to win the BBL Championship title for the first time since 2003: “The Heat are a strong team. They are a dangerous team because they have a number of weapons offensively. Also they are a quick team and can really hurt you in the open court. We have been successful thus far this season but both games have been very tight affairs against the Heat.”

The Sharks will be looking to complete a season sweep against Heat this season having won 97-83 in Surrey in November before repeating the trick with a 97-86 home win the following month.

Heat player-coach Chad McKnight is impressed with the Sharks lineup: “The Sharks have a well balanced team they play smart and they play well together.   To me they have three key players Ryan Patton, Tafari Toni, and Mike Cook.”

Marshall MK Lions will be aiming to wrap up the season series against  Everton Tigers when the teams meet in the BBL Championship on Friday.

The season series between Marshall MK Lions and Everton Tigers is on the line when the teams meet at on Friday evening.

Tip-off at Lions’ new Middleton Hall home has been put back to 8pm on Friday with another large crowd expected.

December’s meeting on Merseyside saw the home side win 99-87, but when Lions returned there a month later they gained revenge with a 107-91 victory.

Lions coach Vince Macauley is impressed with the Tigers team, but feels they can get better: “Everton is a very talented team, but like all these teams in the BBL, it’s all well and good having great players, they need to work together to achieve more. I am sure coach [Tony] Garbelotto must be tearing his hair out at times. They are very good but could be a lot better.”

Tigers coach Garbelotto also expects a difficult game when his side visit Middleton Hall for the first time: “They are without doubt one of the top teams in the league.  The addition of EJ Harrison has given them stability, especially on the road.  We need to challenge them physically like we did in the first game we played them.  If we can do this, we will be in good shape.”