WORCESTER Wolves head coach Chuck Evans is wary of the wounded animal that is Leicester Riders when he takes his side to the East Midlands tonight (7.30pm).
The University of Worcester-based side claimed a 113-111 victory over the Riders last weekend in the Bristish Basketball League.
However, it was the Wolves who were clinging on come the final buzzer as the Riders finished in the ascendency.
Now, as the two teams prepare to face-off in the quarter-finals of the BBL Cup, Evans knows his side cannot afford to concede as many points at the John Sandford Centre.
“There is no way we can win if we give up that many points in their gym,” Evans said. “Right now we are an average team because we relinquished a 14-point fourth-quarter lead.
“Leicester fought back and had a chance to win the game on the last play — a good team would not allow this to happen at home.
“We must learn from our fourth-quarter mistakes but it is an improvement from previous weeks for us to be in that situation.”
The Wolves chief knows exactly what kind of side Leicester are on their own court with the Riders regularly notching up more than 100 points a game.
Evans added: “Now, we must face the same Leicester team with revenge on their minds and a place in the next round of the cup at stake.
“I am sure they will be ready and we must be prepared to match their intensity and physical play.”
Evans is still awaiting international clearance for new Lithuanian forward Nerijus Karlikanovas after securing his services last weekend.
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