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Rattlers, Nighthawks set to do Battle in CEBL Summer Series
July 31, 2020
CEBL Team
The Saskatchewan Rattlers and Guelph Nighthawks enter Friday’s contest coming off two very different results. The Rattlers are coming off a heartbreaking loss to the Fraser Valley Bandits on Tuesday night. After leading the Bandits the majority of the game, the Rattlers offense came out sputtering in the second half and eventually ended up losing the game, 87-77. The Nighthawks on the other hand are riding the high of defeating their local rival, the Niagara River Lions. They took it to the River Lions in the paint and locked them down defensively on Tuesday night, ultimately winning by a score of 84-65. In 2019, the Rattlers and Nighthawks split the four game season series with both teams winning their two games on the road.
Friday’s game between the Rattlers and Nighthawks is available to watch on CBCSports.ca, the CBC Gem App and Twitch. Tip-off is set for 5:30 p.m. ET (3:30 p.m. MT).
Numbers Game
The Rattlers enter Friday’s contest shooting .440 from the field, led by Negus Webster-Chan’s .611 field goal percentage (.770 from behind the arc), on an average of 67 shots per game. The Nighthawks have been a little less efficient with their shots, shooting .380 from the field. The Rattlers have been efficient in not only scoring, but spreading the ball as well with multiple players averaging double digits in points in their last two contests.
The Nighthawks have continued to prove people wrong with their smashmouth brand of basketball. Led by forward Tre’Darius McCallum, the Nighthawks have been able to impress on both sides of the floor with good paint protection on defence and strong drives to the rim on offense.
Friday’s tilt could come down to a battle of the benches with both teams having two of the most effective and electric benches in the Summer Series. The Nighthawks have outscored their opponents’ bench by an average of 13.3 points, whereas the Rattlers have outscored their opposition by an average of 6.5 points. With so many games in a short period of time, benches have remained long over the course of the Summer Series with most teams playing every player on the roster before the night is done.
Block Party
The Nighthawks have been a force in the paint with Game 2 Player of the Game Jonathon Arledge leading the Summer Series with 2.0 blocks per game. In their three games, the Nighthawks have amassed a total of 14 shots, averaging 4.7 per game, tying them for the second most in the league. The Nighthawks protection of the paint will be one of the keys to the game with the Rattlers tendency to attempt to drive to the rim before looking for the three-point shot. If the Nighthawks can contain the Rattlers within the paint, they will likely be in for a favourable result.
Full Game Intensity
The Rattlers intensity fell off after halftime in Tuesday’s defeat. After leading the Bandits 48-38 at the half the Rattlers lead quickly dwindled as they were outscored 49-28 in the second half. Saskatchewan will have to keep the same energy level throughout all four quarters if they wish to pick up the victory. Contrasting from the Rattlers who have been known for their strong starts, the Nighthawks have struggled out of the gates early and have been known to turn up the intensity as the game goes on. It will be a battle to see if both teams can come out with the same energy and focus throughout the entire game.
Next Up
Following Friday’s game, Saskatchewan meets Edmonton (2-1) on Saturday. The Stingers won their previous tilt against the Hamilton Honey Badgers on Wednesday by a score of 88-82. The Nighthawks will also take on the Stingers in their next game that will take place on Monday.