Leicester Riders will face London City Royals in next Sunday’s final of the BBL Playoffs.
The clash at The 02 Arena was sealed when Leicester shook off a dogged Plymouth Raiders 85-73 in the second leg of their semi-final to conclude a 155-141 victory.
It denied Raiders captain Zak Wells a dream finale to his career which looked a possibility when his side – who lost the first leg 70-68 led by six in the second quarter.
But the Riders used a strong finish to the half to move ahead and a decisive 10-2 run in the fourth, started by a three from Andy Thomson, pulled the hosts clear with Tim Williams notching 25 points and 10 rebounds to give the dethroned league champions one last opportunity to salvage a trophy from this season as they chase a hat-trick of playoff crowns.
Hear from Coach Paternostro as the Riders book their place at @TheO2 for a fourth consecutive year!
Riders fans tickets will go sale online tomorrow at 1pm#NewGround #BritishBasketball pic.twitter.com/t3A3ooWJW6
— Leicester Riders (@RidersBball) May 12, 2019
London City will have no fears about pursing a second prize in their debut campaign to add to the BBL Trophy acquired in March.
The Royals pulled off a 91-69 demolition of Sheffield Sharks on Saturday to conclude 154-130 triumph on aggregate;
And their potency was underlined in a 20-0 run in the first half with Matthew Bryan-Amaning scoring 16 of his team-high 27 points before the break.
The WBBL Playoff final features Leicester against Sevenoaks Suns, whose coach Len Busch has been named the Coach of the Year.
Pic: MAP
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