The Montréal Alliance welcome the Winnipeg Sea Bears to Verdun Auditorium on Sunday afternoon in a fascinating matchup between two teams with similar records but vastly different postseason situations. While both clubs have struggled to find consistency this season, the Sea Bears hold a unique advantage as the 2025 Championship Weekend hosts, guaranteeing them an automatic bye to the Western Conference Final regardless of their regular season performance.

For the Alliance, sitting fourth in the Eastern Conference at 6-9, this game represents an opportunity to improve their playoff positioning rather than a desperate fight for postseason survival. With Brampton sitting fifth at 4-14, Montréal’s playoff spot appears secure for now. However, the race for seeding remains intense, with Ottawa just one game ahead at 7-8 and Scarborough holding second place at 8-8. A strong finish could see the Alliance climb from fourth to potentially hosting a playoff game, making every remaining contest crucial for home-court advantage aspirations.

This dynamic creates an intriguing subplot as the Alliance fight to improve their seeding while Winnipeg has the luxury of using these final games to fine-tune their roster and build chemistry for their guaranteed postseason appearance. Despite their 6-10 record and fourth-place position in the Western Conference, the Sea Bears’ automatic qualification makes them a dangerous opponent with nothing to lose and everything to gain in terms of momentum.

Winnipeg enters this contest having undergone significant roster changes that appear to be paying early dividends. The addition of newcomer Will Richardson has been transformative, with the guard averaging an impressive 20.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 7.5 assists through just two games, while logging heavy minutes at 35.8 per contest. His immediate impact alongside fellow new addition Trevon Scott (13.0 points, 10.5 rebounds in two games) suggest the Sea Bears may be peaking at the right time despite their record.

The roster overhaul, which saw the release of Tavian Jones (who subsequently joined Saskatchewan), initially showed promise with a dominant 94-70 victory over the Rattlers where Scott and Richardson combined for 34 points. However, their most recent outing against Calgary revealed both their potential and their continued vulnerabilities, falling 93-89 despite all five starters reaching double-figures and combining for an impressive 84 points.

Simi Shittu continues to anchor Winnipeg’s frontcourt presence, ranking second in the CEBL with 10.3 rebounds per game while contributing 20.2 points and ranking fourth league-wide in blocked shots with 1.3 per contest. His interior dominance, combined with the explosive scoring ability of Jalen Harris (19.4 points, 4.5 assists), gives the Sea Bears multiple offensive weapons that can create problems for any defense.

The Alliance will once again be without their second-leading scorer Quincy Guerrier, who remains with the Toronto Raptors for NBA Summer League action. His absence removes 17.2 points and 7.2 rebounds per game from Montréal’s rotation, continuing to test the team’s depth and adaptability in crucial games.

However, the return of key players from injury provides reasons for optimism. O.D. Anosike and Michael Diggins Jr. both made successful comebacks in the loss to Vancouver, with Anosike contributing 11 points, eight rebounds, and four assists while showing no lingering effects from his time away. Diggins Jr. added five points and two rebounds in limited action, providing valuable depth that the Alliance had been missing. Brandon Porter returns to the lineup after missing the Vancouver game, adding steady production of 10.4 points and 4.4 rebounds per game.

Tavian Dunn-Martin remains the focal point of Montréal’s offense, averaging 18.5 points and 6.4 assists per game while serving as the primary facilitator for an attack that must find consistency without Guerrier. His ability to create opportunities for teammates and provide clutch scoring will be essential against a Winnipeg team that has shown improved defensive cohesion with their new additions.

The Canadian core of the Alliance continues to step up when needed most. Kevin Osawe delivered his best performance of the season against Vancouver with 17 points, five rebounds, and four assists, showcasing the type of complete game that makes him valuable beyond his statistical averages. Abdul Mohamed’s explosive 16-point third quarter in that same contest, scoring all points in one period, demonstrated the spark he can provide when the team needs momentum shifts.

The tactical battle will likely center on Montréal’s ability to limit Shittu’s interior presence while finding ways to score consistently against a Sea Bears defense that has shown improvement since their roster changes.

For the Alliance, this game represents an important step in their quest to improve playoff seeding. With Ottawa and Scarborough within reach, a victory would keep their hopes alive for potentially hosting a playoff game and avoiding a difficult road assignment. The difference between fourth place and second or third could be significant when the postseason arrives.

The unique circumstances surrounding Winnipeg make them a particularly intriguing opponent. While their record suggests vulnerability, their guaranteed playoff spot removes pressure and allows them to play with freedom. The combination of new additions finding their rhythm and established stars like Shittu and Harris capable of taking over games makes them dangerous regardless of standings.

The home-court advantage at Verdun Auditorium becomes even more important given these circumstances. The Alliance have consistently performed better in front of their supportive crowd, and they’ll need every advantage against a Winnipeg team that may be finding its identity at precisely the right time.

As both teams navigate the final stretch of the regular season, this matchup offers different stakes but equal importance. For the Alliance, it’s about climbing the standings and positioning themselves for the best possible playoff scenario. For Winnipeg, it’s about finalizing their rotation and establishing the chemistry needed to make their automatic qualification count when Championship Weekend arrives.

Game Information

Date: Sunday, July 20, 2025

Time: 4:00 PM ET

Location: Verdun Auditorium, Montréal

Broadcast: RDS, CEBL+, TSN+