Lightning and Cougars to battle for top spot (Round Seven MSBL Preview)
Lakeside Lightning and Cockburn Cougars will be battling for top spot in the men's State Basketball League when they meet on Friday.
Both sides have lost only once this season, with Cockburn one win ahead of the second placed Lightning, and their round seven clash at Lakeside Recreation Centre will go a long way towards determining the early title favourite.
The Cougars will have to stop Lakeside forward Luke Payne, who has averaged 35.7 points per game from his last three outings, while Cockburn import Stanley Ocitti is averaging 22.8 points per game for the season and will be vital to his team's chances.
Lakeside also meets Rockingham Flames, who have lost three of their last four games and will be desperate to end a slide which has seen them fall to sixth spot.
The Flames play Mandurah Magic on Saturday and their local rivals will be looking to keep touch with the top eight with their second straight victory.
Perth Wildcats centre Matt Knight is expected to debut for Southlands Boulevarde Willetton Tigers in their doubleheader against Mandurah and Kalamunda Eastern Suns.
The addition of Knight, who averaged 12.4 points per game in the NBL last season, should be a major boost for the Tigers, who will be hoping to consolidate their top eight spot with a pair of victories.
The Suns, who have lost their last five, will also be the underdog against Perth Redbacks, but last year's semi-finalists could be vulnerable after losing three of their last four.
ATD Stirling Senators face a nightmare doubleheader with fixtures against the third placed Wanneroo Wolves, who'll be desperate to bounce back from last week's loss to Willetton, and Australian Central East Perth Eagles, who sit in 10th spot.
Sun City Plumbing Geraldton Buccaneers will be out to continue their resurgence when they host Total Connections Perry Lakes Hawks.
Perry Lakes won three straight before their upset loss to East Perth last week and should be competitive against the Buccaneers, who have won three straight.
SKILLED Goldfields Giants, who have won four of their last five, will be heavily favoured at home against winless side Southwest Slammers on Saturday.
Article by Jacob Kagi
Photo by Darren Speedie (Vision Inspired Photography)
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