Liverpool Basketball Club look to build momentum and claim their second win of the season against the Sheffield Sharks on Saturday, with both teams eyeing the summit of the table.
Last time out, the hosts secured a narrow three-point victory over rivals St Helens Senior, winning 108 to 105.
Meanwhile, the visitors beat Teesside Lions 78-69, thanks to Courtney Alexander’s 21 points.
The home side showed flashes of their offensive potential, aided by Louis Rogerson-Evans’ 21 points, but efficiency remains lacking. Liverpool’s field goal percentage has remained steady at a league average 40%, showing good output. However, from behind the three-point line, this efficiency plummets. With 29% three-point percentage, there are six teams ranked above them.
Fortunately, the travelling Sharks’ offensive percentages are lower than the hosts in both categories.
One area the away side will look to exploit will be second chance scoring opportunities. Sheffield have claimed 39 offensive rebounds so far this season, with over 60% of these leading to points. This puts them third in the league for second chance scoring. On the other side, the Merseyside based club have only got 29.
Defensively, the home side have been tenacious in applying on-ball pressure, collecting 21 steals in their opening two games. Comparatively, Sheffield have only got 16 – ranking them 6th and 10th respectively.
As for at the rim defence, the Sharks lead the league in blocks so far this season. This interior dominance will heavily benefit the visitors with Liverpool’s inefficiency to space the floor and score from out past the three-point line – forcing them inside leading to more blocks for the guests. Liverpool, however, are league average with four.
With both sides looking to make an early season statement, Saturday’s clash could be a huge momentum swing for the winner as they aim for the summit of the table.
Whilst Liverpool’s home crowd will look to give them the extra boost they need, the away sides’ dominant interior defence will force the hosts to rely on shaky perimeter shooting.
If the home side settle into a rhythm early, they’ll fancy themselves to set the tone and come out with the win.
