Basketball in Africa

Falcons Vs Riham Warriors 5:30pm (Falcons lead series 2-1)
City Oilers Vs Dmark Power 7:30pm (Oilers lead series 2-1)
If Riham Warriors and Dmark Power have something in common at the moment, it's that they both face exit from the Castle Lite playoffs if they lose game 4 of the best-of-five series coming on back-to-back losses from Falcons and City Oilers respectively. Another lackluster performance will result in Warriors and Power kissing their season goodbye.
“We know Power will come all out. It’s not over because they will play twice as hard as they did today (Friday) and we have to over-match that” City Oilers’ coach Mandy Juruni said after game 3.
Falcons that have managed to keep at bay one of the league's best interior threats and looked the better side in the last couple of games will make the finals for a second successive year with a win and the Oilers can lock up a spot in the finals in their debut season with a similar result over the Power, whose key interior presence has not felt any bit in these series.
“We are coming back to play another basketball game but looking at the finals” City Oilers guard Jimmy Enabu told Kawowo Sports.
While a lot can be said on how Warriors or Power can force deciders – talk of defending, shooting better, limiting turnovers, trying to shut key players – one thing for sure, a player or two have got to take up responsibility for the team and get significant contribution from the teammates.
It was and still may be difficult for Malinga to make a real impact as he will be forced even further from the hoop and his touches on the ball limited. Ivan Enabu and Ronnie Kasewu have got to push Warriors in all ways.
Something similar has to happen with Power. Norman Blick, Isaac Afidra and Ben Komakech are very much capable of carrying Power offensively and they have to do it today or until next season.
While looking at how Power and Warriors can stretch the series to full length, you can't overlook how good their opponents are with what they have already demonstrated in the three games and what they are capable of doing. Falcons showed they can turn any team into a miss match in the game 3 demolition of Warriors and can defend to near perfection.
City Oilers are equally a scoring team and can defend.