The Saskatchewan Rattlers (11-9) play host to second-place Edmonton Stingers (14-6) in the opening semi-final of the inaugural CEBL Championship Weekend at SaskTel on Saturday. Home court advantage and a 3-1 regular season series win give the Rattlers the edge, despite the Stingers holding the second seed in the tournament.

Tipoff is 1 p.m. Local. (Tickets available at TicketMaster. Watch via CEBL TV or the CBC Gem App ).

This matchup is unique to any other two teams in the CEBL, so it is fitting that Saskatchewan and Edmonton meet in the playoffs. In a league that is fast-paced and high scoring, the Rattlers and Stingers have instead played hard-nosed, defensive style basketball. The two teams have averaged a combined 153.3 points during its four games this season. To put this series into perspective, the Hamilton Honey Badgers and Guelph Nighthawks scored more combined points in three regular season meetings than Edmonton and Saskatchewan have in its four games.

The Stingers and Rattlers have been low scoring teams all year (ranked fourth and fifth respectively), when they meet, it’s amplified. The teams each averaged approximately 16 points fewer when they play each other compared to their season average.

It’s rare when a higher seed is the underdog, but in this case, the Rattlers are a clear favourite. Having the crowd support and getting to sleep in their own beds are huge benefits to Saskatchewan. Added to Edmonton’s challenge, regular starter Mathieu Kamba will not be with the team in Saskatoon this weekend. The six-foot-five guard netted 17 points in their last meeting on August 9 at Saskatchewan. That being said, the Stingers still have CEBL Player of the Year finalist, Xavier Moon, and the league’s leading rebounder, Jordan Baker. Moon led Edmonton in nearly every major statistical category this season. He played 12 games for Edmonton, averaging 19.9 points, 5.1 rebounds, 5.8 assists, 2.0 steal and 32.5 minutes, while shooting .431 (25-58) from beyond the arc, and .842 (32-38) from the free-throw line. Moon ranked second in the league in scoring, third in assists, second in steals and second in three-point field goal percentage. Baker, a finalist for the top Canadian award, averaged 13.9 points and his league-best 9.3 rebounds in 16 games, while recording a team-high six double-doubles.

During the regular season against Saskatchewan, Moon averaged 17.0 points and 5.5 rebounds in two games, having missed the opening pair of competitions against the Rattlers. Baker also just played two of the games, but averaged a double-double with 11.5 points and 10.0 rebounds.

With losses on consecutive nights to the Rattlers near the end of the season, the Stingers are hungry for the rematch.

“Our guys wanted to play Saskatchewan again in the playoffs,” said Stingers GM and Head Coach Jermaine Small after Thursday’s open practice. “I’d be lying if I said we didn’t want revenge (from the regular season). Playing the home team in front of a big crowd, our guys are really looking forward to that opportunity.”

Will the stars from Edmonton outshine the grind-it-out transition-hungry Rattlers? Or does Saskatchewan just have the Stingers’ number this season? Saskatoon is ready to party during CEBL Championship Weekend, the question is whether their celebration will include the hometown team.

May 31, 2019 at Edmonton: Edmonton 93, Saskatchewan 84
Leading scorers: Edmonton (T. Daniels, 19), Saskatchewan (B. Massey, 35)
Leading rebounders: Edmonton (J. Baker, 16), Edmonton (M. Johnson, 10)

June 6, 2019 at Saskatoon: Saskatchewan 69, Edmonton 62
Leading scorers: Edmonton (T. Daniels, 20), Saskatchewan (N. Webster-Chan, 17)
Leading rebounders: Edmonton (G. Glaze, 10), Edmonton (T. Dawson, 8)

August 8, 2019 at Edmonton: Saskatchewan 85, Edmonton 81
Leading scorers: Edmonton (X. Moon, 24), Saskatchewan (A. Campbell, 15)
Leading rebounders: Edmonton (J. Baker / T. Daniels, 9), Edmonton (M. Jones, 12)

August 9, 2019 at Saskatoon: Saskatchewan 74, Edmonton 73
Leading scorers: Edmonton (M. Kamba, 17), Saskatchewan (A. Campbell, 28)
Leading rebounders: Edmonton (T. Daniels, 13), Edmonton (M. Johnson, 13)