Spinks Prepares for First Finals Weekend
Marshall MK Lions captain Dru Spinks is expecting another
tough game against Newcastle Eagles when the sides meet in
the BBL play-off semi-final at the NIA on Saturday afternoon.
The last time the sides met at the Birmingham venue, Spinks
became the first Lions captain in the club's 21 year history
in the BBL to lift a trophy as they won the BBL Cup with a
69-66 victory against the Eagles.
"I'm sure they feel they match up very well against
us, but at the same time we think we can do a job against
them," said the 28-year-old who has spent all of his
career with the Lions.
"We have a lot of fire power, and it's a case of making
sure we play to our strengths, and don't get drawn into their
game play. We need to dictate how the game is played, not
let them dominate and exploit the mismatches we have. The
formbook goes out of the window when you meet in the final
four.
"On the day it's a matter of knuckling down and playing
like it's the last game on the planet. The chips are down,
and we have to make sure we come out winners."
While Lions were successful when the sides met in the BBL
Cup final, Eagles have taken the spoils in all three league
meetings. The game at the MetroRadio Arena in late February
saw Eagles win 87-78, and they repeated that victory a month
later with an 82-68 success. The only clash between the sides
at the Bletchley LC proved to be a thriller as Eagles triumphed
93-86 in double overtime.
The winner of Saturday's game will meet either Guildford
Heat or Kularoos Plymouth Raiders in Sunday's final, which
is being shown live on Setanta Sports. However Spinks isn't
thinking that far ahead,
"It wouldn't matter who we played in the final if we
got there, our destiny is down to us. It doesn't matter who
you play in a title game, if you do what you're supposed to
do, you'll win the game."
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