Flournoy expects wounded Raiders

Newcastle coach Fab Flournoy expects to meet a Plymouth side wounded from their BBL Cup Final defeat when the two sides meet on the south coast on Friday.

The Eagles picked up the first silverware of the season with a comprehensive 115-94 win over the Raiders in the final last month, while the two teams will also meet again in the two-legged BBL Trophy Final next month.

But while Friday’s clash is being dubbed as a dress rehearsal to that game, Flournoy is sure that the Raiders will have a point to prove after that final loss.

He said: “We play them again before the trophy final anyway and I think it will be more about the Cup final in that I know they are going to be totally focussed in this game in order that they can put the memories of that game behind them.

“We have to be ready to play a good team with extra motivation in a hostile environment. But these are the games that as a player and coach I love to be in.”

Newcastle, who have won all but one of their BBL Championship games so far this season, thrashed the Raiders 90-67 in their only previous league meeting this season.