‘It isn’t a rivalry unless you win’ London Lions after defeating Cheshire Phoenix in BBL Playoff final
The London Lions win the British Basketball Play Off Final 88-85 in a nail biting contest with the Cheshire Phoenix, thanks to a Sam Dekker dagger.
CREDIT: British Basketball League
Dekker was awarded finals MVP for the game-winning three with just 9.1 seconds remaining and posted a double-double of 17 points and 10 assists.
League MVP Matt Morgan also had 16 points for the Lions, who only lost three regular season games on the way to a BBL Championship and made an unprecedented run to the EuroCup semi-final this season.
Cheshire were unable to replicate their BBL Trophy triumph but drove the Lions to the wire, having had a successful season outperforming pre-season expectations.
Aaryn Rai posted 21 points while Laquincy Rideau, who led the BBL in steals and assists, contributed across the board with 20 points, 12 rebounds, 8 assists and 6 steals.
This being their second finals versus one another this year, with social media back-and-forth, some fans are referring to the matchup as a rivalry.
“We’re just two teams that are very competitive. Going face to face with the London Lions brings out the best in you,” said Cheshire Phoenix captain Maceo Jack.
Game-winner Dekker said: “Yeah they beat us once. I think I’ve played them 13 times and won 12 of them … They match us pretty well but I think a lot of talking comes from their side and we get painted as the villains.”
“No it doesn’t mean more that it’s Cheshire,” added Lions veteran Jordan Taylor. “It isn’t a rivalry unless you win. They talk a lot and they don’t win, they’ve won one game … so no f**k that.”
Jordan Taylor with the BBL Playoff Trophy / CREDIT: British Basketball League
The Lions had a productive opening quarter, going on a 15-0 run and holding Phoenix scoreless for 3:26 late in the period.
Tarik Phillip sunk a three and then slammed home for London’s opening scores of the second quarter, while on the defensive end Donte Grantham had a highlight-reel block.
The game’s chippy nature was evident from the three technical fouls handed out in the first half but Rai played into its physicality using his strength to regularly drive to the rim.
At the conclusion of the second quarter, the Lions had scored the most first half points ever in a Playoff Final, going in at the break with a 52-41 lead.
Ben Thomas’ side chipped away at London’s lead in the third, outscoring them 30 to 22, to come within three points and set up a nervy final ten minutes.
This got the O2 on its feet, including Cheshire’s travelling fans who show UK supporters can bring energy and passion.
Cheshire fans in blue / CREDIT: British Basketball League
In the fourth was when Cheshire finally got back on level terms, with 31 seconds remaining, after a Rideau drive.
The game-winning shot occurred moments later as Matt Morgan, after running some time off the clock, drove into the heart of the Phoenix defence before kicking it out to the corner, where Dekker lay in wait for the splash.
Completing back-to-back BBL Playoff Final wins topped off the Lions’ season, after injury setbacks for Dekker personally and a rammed campaign for the team, competing both domestically and in Europe.
Dekker said: “Everyone just says that the Lions are going to win but when you have the expectation to win, sometimes you feel that pressure at times. To be able to get up everyday and respond to that call is not easy.”
