Kwesi Mugisa, Staff Reporter
Denham Town Wizards vs Urban Knights in the National Basketball League (NBL) quarter finals play-off on Friday June 03, 2005 at the National Arena outdoor Basketball Court. - CARLINGTON WILMOT/FREELANCE PHOTOGRAPHER
CHAMPIONS URBAN Knights are faced with a do-or-die clash to defend their title against Anthony Farquahson and the Denham Town Wizards, in a Game Three decider in the bmobile and KFC sponsored National Basketball League (NBL) quarter-finals, at the National Stadium Courts at 6:00p.m. today.
Two other teams will put their season on the line when Michael Jackson's Harbour View Lakers face-off against Ryan Peddlar's Portmore Flames at 8:00p.m.
Following a 75-72 Game One defeat, the Knights came storming back in Game Two, clamping down defensively by crashing the boards and deploying quick double teams to force turnovers from the Wizards, whom they barely edged 76-75.
The Knights will be looking for a similar defensive effort in this crucial Game Three, while for the Wizards, finding ways to free the dangerous Levar Henry will be important.
Henry will be looking to offer more support to Farquahson, who scored a game-high 24 points and grabbed 16 rebounds on Sunday.
ONE-POINT MARGIN
One point has divided the teams in their respective wins as the Lakers following a 75-76 overtime loss, were able to claw their way back into the series with a 70-69 win on Sunday to hold off the surging Flames.
The Lakers will be looking to contain both the silky smooth floor general Ryan Peddlar, who has averaged 24 points for the series and rebounding machine centre Kareem McFarlane who has grabbed a total of 34 rebounds for the series so far.
Lakers guard Jackson will be looking for an improved performance in Game Three as following a 29-point outburst in Game One, he could only manage 15 points in Sunday's Game Two.
Also, his NBL All-Star teammate, forward Christopher Walker, will be looking to stay out of foul trouble and remain a defensive presence on the floor.
Lakers coach Donald Jackson, while confident, believes his team has to be careful.
"We made a spill on Saturday, we almost made one on Sunday but we do expect to win the series. We will look to tighten up and have a good game on Tuesday."
Tomorrow will also see a decisive Game Three when the No. 1 seeded Tivoli All-Stars will look to close out the eighth place Blazing Panthers.
The Panthers held on to win 65-63 despite a fourth quarter 14-0 run by Tivoli, who after being down by 16 came back to tie the game.
The All-Stars and Panthers match will begin at 7:00p.m.
