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Well it's playoff time again, so here's what's happening in the EBBL this post-season.

BC Zalgiris vs Lancaster City
What a banger to start with! Last season's champions vs this season's cup winners in the first round! Both teams have made significant additions in the last week or so and both teams are looking very strong. Zalgiris do hold HCA so would have to them as favourites, but Lancaster did get an away win against them in their last meeting.

Cramlington Showboaters vs MexicanTaxiDriver
Cramlington's first EBBL season has been pretty successful with a 2nd seeded finish and also highest points scored in the league. The season series between the two teams was 1-1 with the home team winning both games. MTD will also be without starting PF Rusanovschi who picked up an injury in the final game of the season.

Isca Centurions vs Bromley-By-Bow
Isca Centurions earned the leagues best record with a 18-4 finish, and with that HCA for the whole playoffs. They'll have title aspirations with a strong squad led by NT players Kemp and Chapman and new additions Piekos. They did lose their big man Grbelja to injury in the final game which may throw some issues for Testudo. Bromley have struggled in the final part of the season, going 3-4 over the last conference games, so will need a big performance from their stars to cause an upset.

Aminu vs Team Nook
Two teams tied on 17-5 records battling it out in the first round. Nook did win both games between the sides this season, including a win on the final day. But both teams have seen their squads changed during the season, but not in an improving sense. Aminu have HCA in the game due to points difference, and have streamlined their team down to 6 players in order to ensure they have their strongest players on court as much as possible. This one could go either way.

Durham Wasps vs Gophers
Durham Wasps finished with a 12-10 record, but that wasn’t enough to earn them a playoff spot in the Big 8. They’ll instead host the 4-18 Gophers in a relegation series and have to earn their right to stay in the EBBL. Durham will go in to the series with a lot of confidence after a shock away win against top seed BC Zalgiris on the final day of the season. They also won the regular season matchup with Gophers by 69 points away.

Alaus Putytes vs Reds BC
Both teams finished with a 9-13 record, but ended the season in different veins of form. Alaus finished the season with a 5-2 run, including wins over Isca and Bromley in the final two games, whereas Reds went on a 3-4 run in that time. However Reds did pick up an impressive win over MTD on the final day of the season. This could be an interesting series, the game between them this season ended with an 8 point win for Reds who were at home for that game.

BC Bloosa vs North London United
BC Bloosa (9-13) host North London United (6-16) in the 6v6 relegation series. North London United have conceded the most points in the league this season, but does also have one of the better points scored in the league too, so expect this series to be high scoring and fast paced.

Two previous champions will also be relegated this season as both Arsenal 98 (champion in s56, s57 and s59) and Mortal Wombats (champion in s60, s61 and s63) finished as the 8th seeds in their conference. Congratulations to both Bergkamp and Kammu on their impressive runs in the past 10 seasons and I’m sure they’ll be fighting back at the top again soon!

Hello everyone!
Nice analysis for playoffs and relegation games.
Good luck everyone!

Yep, good work from arrows as always.

As a reminder we have a BB England Discord, which is a lot more active with discussion than the forums these days. There's currently 36 members so about 20-25% of English managers are already there. If anyone else is interested then send me a message and I can send you an invite.

The post season has started! Here's what went down.

BC Zalgiris vs Lancaster City
I was really looking forward to this match up with the reigning champions playing the cup winners. It was the reigning champions BC Zalgiris coming out on top 95-68 thanks to 67 combined points from MVP Ka Lun and Gallagher. Lancaster decided to go with the double GDP guess, which is understandable given the strength of Zalgiris and them being away. If they'd managed to get it right then maybe they could've pulled it off. Doesn't appear they could've won without getting a guess right anyway.

Cramlington Showboaters vs MexicanTaxiDriver
Cramlington reach the conference finals with a 104-92 win over MTD behind 45 points from Ferrando. Bold strategy going with FCP in a playoff game, and only forcing 11 turnovers suggests it may not have been particularly effective, but it got them the win so who am I to judge. Great season for Cramlington in their first EBBL season.

BC Zalgiris will next host Cramlington Showboaters in the conference finals. I think Cramlington would have to pull off a miracle to get the win, but you never know in BB!

Isca Centurions vs Bromley-By-Bow
Top seed Isca Centurions comfortably reach the conference finals with a 90-70 win over BBB. Isca managed to avoid BBB's GDP attempt which likely decided the result before the game really got going, but probably had to be done to give them a chance of winning. Isca have made a strong start in the title quest.

Aminu vs Team Nook
Team Nook managed to pull off the only away victory on Tuesday night with a 114-102 win. Aminu got unlucky with an early injury to their lone bench player which led to major exhaustion issues late in the game which allowed Nook to pull away to win. 42 combined fouls, 61 FTA and 1 injury, safe to say the game was very physical!

Isca Centurions will host Team Nook in the Great 8 confernce finals. Isca were the last team to beat Nook in the league this season when they won 106-94. They'll be looking to get the same result again on Saturday.

Durham Wasps vs Gophers
Durham Wasps take game 1 of their relegation series against Gophers with a dominant 114-63 win. 7 Durham players scored in double figures in a good team performance which included 26 assists. Durham did opt to use more effort in this game despite being at home, which may give a chance for Gophers to win game 2 with HCA, but it will be difficult for them to turn round a 51 point loss.

Alaus Putytes vs Reds BC
Alaus Putytes stamped their authority on their relegation series with a 30 point win against Reds BC despite using less effort. This puts them in strong position to win the series either in game 2 or 3. Reds will need to fight hard in game 2 to get the series to a deciding game 3

BC Bloosa vs North London United
North London United fought hard to claim HCA in the series but fell just short in the end in a 12 point loss to BC Bloosa. Hoi Lin had 35 points for Bloosa which led them to the crucial game 1 win. North London United went with higher effort in the game which will make winning the series difficult with an enthusiasm deficit.

All the top seeds in division 2 won their games, so the final promotion spot is still in play for those teams that fail to win. the 22-0 Scunthorpe Devils scraped through their game 120-118 in overtime, but they are already guarenteed that promotion spot if they fail to win their playoffs.

Conference finals done, and 2/3 of the relegation series' finished!

BC Zalgiris vs Cramlington Showboaters
BC Zalgiris shot an impressive 59% FG in a 118-62 victory over Cramlington Showboaters. Zalgiris were really dominant from the start with a 35-10 first quarter and never looked back. Cramlington went with the FCP again but it proved to be a poor choice as Zalgiris scored with ease thanks to their impressive assist numbers. Zalgiris again using less effort as they had in to the finals with full enthusiasm and back to back titles on their mind.

Isca Centurions vs Team Nook
Isca Cebturions head in to their first EBBL finals after a strong 2nd half secured a 100-76 victory over Team Nook. MVP runner up Kemp had a dominant display with 39 points, while Sze Kong added 17 points in 18minutes off the bench. Nook opted to go with an aggressive GDP guess and was partially correct but it didn't help, especially as the Nook manager made a big mistake with their lineup which led to major exhaustion issues in the 4th quarter.

Isca Centurions will host BC Zalgiris in a best of 3 series. Isca won the regular season game between the two by 16, but both teams have made additons since then and it should make for a compelling finals! Good luck to both!

Durham Wasps vs Gophers
Durham Wasps convincingly earned their EBBL status for next season with a 105-73 game 2 win. Gophers surprisingly going with less effort ina do or die game, but maybe they were thinking about a potential game 3. Wasps were just too good on offence with 56% FG, 29 assists and 50% 3FG. Congratulations Gully on the series win.

Alaus Putytes vs Reds BC
Reds BC surivived in game 2 with a 115-101 win at home. Kaktnieks and Fullerton combined for 22-27 shooting as they looked to carry their team from the depths of relegation. Reds again used more effort in the game, meaning Alaus should have a significant enthusiasm advantage for game 3 as well as HCA. Reds will be underdogs in game 3, but they're still in with a chance to fight for their survival.

BC Bloosa vs North London United
A late steal by Hoi Lin leading to a Miraszewski layup with 4 seconds to go gave BC Bloosa a 106-104 victory and save them from relegation. Despite and incorrect GDP guess, Bloosa made a late comeback to win, and break the hearts of the North London crowd. Congratulations to Blusa on their series win.

In division 2, 7/8 top seeds have made the final, with only the 17-5 Hanley Hustlers in D2.3 falling short. They are unable to promote as both Gauson and Trefas Team in D2.4 had better records and both made the finals.

Game 1 of the finals is done and the final relegation series completed!

Isca Centurion vs BC Zalgiris
Game 1 of the finals was won by the away team BC Zalgiris 87-79, behind a big 35 point game by Gallagher. MVP Ka Lun struggled in the game shooting only 4-21FG. Isca were led by MVP runner up Kemp who had 27 points, but it took him 26 shot attempts to get to that mark.

In another blow to Isca's chances, Sze Kong picked up an unfortunate injury after an impressive start to the game with 10 points in 18 minutes. This will make Isca's chances of a comeback with difficult.

Zalgiris have taken a 1-0 and now head back home for game 2 where they will hope to end the series in 2 games.

Alaus Putytes vs Reds BC
Do or die game 3.... and it was Alaus Putytes that came out victors in a 102-85 game. Alaus saw star man Cobby go down injured after only 2 minutes which I'm sure will have sent panic to Kasukasuka. But their team were able to battle through and still come out with the win. Congratulations to Kasukasuka on retaining their EBBL status in their first season.

The 5 teams relegated from the EBBL this season are:
Reds BC
North London United
Gophers
Arsenal 98
Mortal Wombats

In the division 2 finals, 3/4 home teams won. Scunthorpe Devils scraped passed Roaring Lions 99-97 in d2.1. Bethnal Green Erks beat Cempionai by 13 with lower effort in d2.2. Galaxy Walkers were the only away team to win with a 107-85 win over London Daredevils who went with lower enthusiasm in D2.3. Finally in d2.4, Gauson beat Trefas Team 106-91.

There was no point to fight, different categories lol Love seeing so many expensive players on the market, budget kicks dumb arses?

Congratulations to Vycka on another title!

We gave it our best shot but needed to win the first home game to have a chance. Looking forward to next season now.

The playoff are done!

BC Zalgiris vs Isca Centurions
BC Zalgiris secured back-to-back titles with a 100-71 win in game 2 behind 37 points from Gallagher. Isca once again had a player go off injured early when Ziyang departed in the 1st half, but the game was pretty much over by then anyway after a 33-15 1st quarter from Zalgiris. Isca went all in on Zalgiris attacking inside but Vycka avoided that with a RNG offence.

Congratulations to Vycka on his 6th EBBL title, moving up to 3rd all-time.

In D2.1, Scunthrope Devils completed their unbeaten regular season with a title after they were pushed to 3 games by Roaring Lions. Scunthorpe Devils reach the EBBL for the first time! Congratulations to Lucky!

D2.2 was more straight forward as Bethnal Green Erks completed a 2 game sweep of Cempionai. Bethnal return to the EBBL after a 10 season absence. Congratulations to Erkboy!

D2.3 saw a shock playoff winner as 3rd seed Galaxy Walkers overcame home court advantage in every round to earn promotion to the EBBL. They beat London Daredevils in 2 games in the finals. They return to the EBBL after a 5 season absence. Congratulations to soure!

Gauson dominated D2.4 after a 21-1 season and an average win margin of 21.25 points in the playoffs and will bounce back to the EBBL at the first time of asking. Congratulations to hono!

Thanks to Scunthorpe's game 3 playoff win, London Daredevils will also be promoted back to the EBBL after only 1 season back in division 2 thanks to having the best D2 record to not win their playoffs. Congratulations to theBlackSky

In Summary
EBBL Winners- BC Zalgiris

Relegated from EBBL:
Reds BC
North London United
Gophers
Arsenal 98
Mortal Wombats

Promoted to EBBL:
Scunthorpe Devils
Bethnal Green Erks
Galaxy Walkers
Gauson
London Daredevils

Congrats to BC Zalgiris for another trophy!! It feels great to be back, do not know how long for but will definitely enjoy it! I am thinking about changing my team name to "Elevator", it goes down and then up all the time...I lost count long ago. Good luck to all, I cannot wait to start. Cheers!

I'm renaming my team the abseilers because we go down a lot quicker than we come up.