The Montréal Alliance head to Ottawa Thursday night knowing their playoff hosting fate isn't entirely in their hands, but they can certainly take control of it with a win over the BlackJacks.

While the Alliance are locked into fourth place, they still have a shot at hosting the Eastern Conference Play-In game at Verdun Auditorium on August 14. The catch? Ottawa must finish third for it to happen, since the Masters Indigenous Games will be using TD Place Arena during playoffs.

Here’s the match: If Ottawa wins Friday and the Shooting Stars lose their game, the BlackJacks lock up second place and the Alliance are headed to Scarborough for the Eastern Conference Play-In. A win for the Alliance or a Scarborough win would keep the dream alive heading into the final weekend of the regular season.

The BlackJacks took Wednesday’s meeting 87-83 at Verdun Auditorium in a game that stayed close throughout. Eleven lead changes, nobody up by more than 11 - exactly the kind of grind-it-out affair you’d expect between these two clubs.

Tavian Dunn-Martin went off for 30 points to keep the Alliance in it, but Ottawa’s depth made the difference. Justin Jackson led the way with 21 points while Deng Adel orchestrated things with 15 points and 9 assists. League scoring champ Javonte Smart had a rare off night, being limited to just 10 points.

Kevin Osawe and Michael Diggins Jr. played much better than their stat lines suggest. Osawe brought energy and hit the boards hard, while Diggins Jr. was a pest defensively and made smart plays all night. Blondeau Tchoukuiegno ran the offense for long stretches and was excellent on defense despite not filling up the scoresheet.

Quincy Guerrier had a rough night with only eight points. The Alliance will need him to bounce back if they want to steal one in Ottawa.

What to Watch

Smart averaging 28.2 points per game doesn’t happen by accident. The Alliance slowed him down Wednesday, but banking on that happening twice in a row is asking for trouble.

Isaih Moore continues to be a problem in the paint. 17 points and 11 boards Wednesday, and he’s been doing it all season at 19.6 and 11.4. The Alliance don’t have an obvious answer for his size and skill.

Dunn-Martin’s the engine that makes everything go for Montréal. His 6.4 assists rank third in the league, and the Alliance go as he goes.

The bench could be the difference. Malcolm Duvivier’s 12 points Wednesday were huge, and Brandon Porter’s energy off the pine might be exactly what the Alliance need on the road.

The Bottom Line

Both teams wrap up the regular season Sunday - Alliance at Scarborough, Ottawa hosting Vancouver. But Friday’s the game that matters most. Win, and the Alliance control a bit more of their hosting destiny. Lose, and they’re hoping for help from elsewhere.

Date: Friday, August 8, 2025

Time: 7:30 PM ET

Location: The Arena at TD Place, Ottawa

Broadcast: CEBL+, TSN+