The 6-8 Guelph Nighthawks trying to stop a five game losing streak, host the 4-10 Montreal Alliance at 7 p.m. ET.  Montreal is coming off a win looking to build momentum and solidify a playoff spot nearing the end of the season.

This is the third time these two teams match up.  The first was a 94-74 Alliance victory in Montreal and the second a slim 86-84 victory for the Nighthawks in Guelph.  Now going back to Guelph for the rubber match, both sides have a way of victory that has been proven, and both sides are looking for momentum as the playoff push gets closer and closer to the end of the regular season.

With just six games left in the season, the Alliance sit just behind the Ottawa BlackJacks, and are coming off of a win against the Fraser Valley Bandits 89-72 at home on Monday night.  Montreal came out aggressive against the Bandits on both ends of the floor.  They were looking for their shot and attacking rebounds to get second chances.  With Fraser Valley controlling the pace during the first quarter, Montreal tightened up their defence and got in transition to take control for the rest of the game. 

Isiah Osborne was a x-factor for the Alliance with his aggressiveness on offence and ability to get to his spots and set in transition.  He will need to do the same thing to take advantage of the matchup against the Guelph guards who are without A.J. Lawson who is currently with the Dallas Mavericks Summer League team.  Osborne scored 22 points on 57 per cent shooting against the Bandits, and his point guard in Hernst Laroche and backcourt duo of Alain Louis will have a matchup with Cat Barber and Ahmed Hill 

Barber sits fourth in the CEBL in points per game with 20 and like Laroche and Louis, he will attack whenever he gets the opportunity, and his ability with the ball creates opportunities for those around him.  In Guelph’s most recent game, a 101-88 loss to the Niagara River Lions, Barber scored 19 points and his running man Hill led the team with 20 points.  The duo of Barber and Hill attack off the dribble, and matched up against Laroche and Louis, their facilitation will be just as important as their individual scoring ability.

Barber and Hill will be facilitating to Tj Lall, Aj Hess and Maurice Calloo.  Lall scored 10 points and grabbed 11 rebounds against the River Lions, and his dynamic play on both ends of the floor often helps the Nighthawks capitalize on extra possessions and create opportunities by condensing the defence.  Lucas Nogueira who grabbed 10 rebounds against Niagara, will be matched up with a key scorer and offensive player in Ashley Hamilton.

Hamilton has been vital to the Alliance over the last two games, and his ability to get the ball in his spots on the blocks and use his footwork in advantageous positions gives the Alliance a go to inside the paint when their perimeter shots aren’t falling.  Running alongside Nathan Cayo, Hamilton will be someone the Nighthawks have to contain on the boards, and Julian Roche’s size and physicality will be a good match.

These two teams have seen each other before, and as playoffs come closer every game is more important to settle seeding and who will get a chance at the Championship Weekend.

All games will be streamed live internationally on the CEBL’s OTT platform, CEBL+, and on the CEBL Mobile app for iOS and Android devices.  Games will also be available to stream live in Canada via cbcsports.ca, the CBC Sports app for iOS and Android devices, and the free CBC Gem streaming service. 

A league created by Canadians for Canadians, the CEBL has the highest percentage of Canadian players of any professional league in the country, with 71 percent of its current rosters being Canadians.  Players bring experience from the NBA, NBA G League, top international leagues, the Canadian National team program, and top NCAA programs as well as U SPORTS.  The only First Division Professional League Partner of Canada Basketball.  The CEBL season runs from May through August.  Head to CEBL.ca for more information or follow us (@cebleague) on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, LinkedIn, Facebook & YouTube.