Kwesi Mugisa, Staff Reporter
URBAN KNIGHTS will attempt to keep their championship defence aspirations alive when they take on the number two seeded St. George's Slayers in a crucial Game Three of the bmobile/KFC-sponsored National Basketball League at the National Stadium Courts at 7:00 p.m. today.
After losing Game One 75-72, the Knights, just as they did in the first series against the Denham Town Wizards, rallied to hand the Slayers a 17-point blow-out in Game Two. Against the Wizards the Knights went on to win the elimination game by 14 points. The question is: Will they be able to pull off a similar feat against the higher ranked Slayers?
LOOKING FOR IMPROVEMENT
The Slayers will be looking to take better care of the ball in this decisive encounter. If they are to win, the 35 turnover performance they displayed in Game Two cannot be repeated.
"Our turnovers were up by 15 in Game Two. We normally average about 20 against the Knights. In addition to this I don't think we played well as a team," their coach Rohan Robinson analysed.
He added: "In addition to limiting the turnovers we must play as a team, with all the turnovers in Game Two we moved away from our team basketball philosophy and they were able to capitalise. We will be looking to correct this."
The Knights could be without two starters - centre Andrew Whilby and point guard Fernando Young, who suffered injuries in the semis.
CRITICAL CONTROL
Knights' coach Kalvin Martin believes that limiting turnovers and second-chance opportunities will be very critical to the team's success.
"We need to show up very focused for the game and we cannot afford any lapses. We need to take care of the ball and limit second chance opportunities for them by rebounding well."
The winner will face Tivoli All Stars in the finals.
