Basketball
Wolves target double success against strugglers

Buy photos » Wolves forward David Watts is expecting two tough encounters against the Mersey Tigers and Durham Wildcats this weekend. Picture by Keith Hunt.

WORCESTER Wolves will aim to begin the new year in winning style when they take on two sides both sitting at the foot of the BBL Championship table this weekend.

Second-placed Wolves will hope to close the gap on leaders Newcastle Eagles when they face Mersey Tigers in Liverpool tonight (Friday). But Paul James' side will be without in-form American forward Tommy Freeman who is suspended for the clash.

Tonight's game will be the fourth meeting between the two sides this season with Wolves winning on all three previous occasions.

But Wolves forward David Watts, who is likely to step in for Freeman despite suffering from a fractured rib, said Wolves still needed to improve against the Merseyside outfit, who are currently second from bottom.

"We've played them a handful of times and won them all but we've struggled in the first half against them and had to execute well down the stretch to win," he said.

"We need to start well, build a lead and be aggressive at both ends of the floor."

Wolves return to home soil at the University of Worcester to play bottom-of-the-table Durham Wildcats on Saturday night (tip-off 7pm).

Durham have made a woeful start to their first season as a BBL team, winning just one of their opening 12 league games. Despite their poor form, Wolves head coach Paul James said Durham were still a dangerous side.

"They are still finding their way in the league but are very competitive and a real threat with Paul Elderkin playing well, as is Ralph Bucci and Mario Flaherty," he said.