Stingers Take On River Lions to Start Final Regular Season Home Stand

The Edmonton Stingers are back at the Edmonton EXPO Centre to face the Niagara River Lions (14-8) tonight with tip-off at 7:00 p.m. MT in the first of Edmonton's final two home games this season. 

The Stingers will be looking to add to their winning ways after defeating the Saskatchewan Rattlers in Saskatoon on Wednesday and close out the year with two more wins at home. 

The key to doing that will rely on Sean East II continuing his dominance as of late. The guard recorded a team-high 24 points, including his 500th of the season, and dished out five assists against the Rattlers, while also dropping 30 against Saskatchewan in Edmonton on Sunday. 

Another player who will hope to bring their performance from Saskatoon back with them to the EXPO Centre is Nick Hornsby. On Wednesday, Hornsby scored 20 points, six rebounds and a team-leading six assists. 

Expect East II and the Stingers' depth scoring to show up tonight if Edmonton is to take down the River Lions, who are struggling as of late. 

Niagara arrives in Edmonton without a win in their past three games. But, don't let that fool you. The River Lions lead the Eastern Conference and hold the third-best record in the league. 

It will be a tough matchup, but history may be on Edmonton's side. It was the Stingers who were victorious when these two teams met at the Meridian Centre in June. 

In that game, Khalil Ahmad posted a team-high 30 points and nine rebounds for the River Lions. And looking over his last five games, Ahmad is tallying 19 points per game, 4.8 rebounds and 3.2 assists. He should receive the most attention from Edmonton's defence to contain him tonight. 

And when looking at the River Lions' stats on the road this season, if the Stingers can contain Ahmad, it should give them an edge in this matchup. Niagara has the lowest points per game, field goal percentage, field goals made and three-pointers made in the last five games. Compare that to Edmonton's stats in the same span: 97.4 points per game, 37.6 field goals made per game, both of which are ranked second best in the league, and the Stingers appear to have the advantage on offence. 

It gets tighter when looking at defence over the past five games, though. The Stingers are allowing the second-most points per game in the CEBL, and the River Lions allow the fewest points per game. Despite the defence tilting towards Niagara, it could be an opportunity for Edmonton to reverse those fortunes and have a solid defensive outing. And taking away their leading scorer would go a long way in helping Edmonton do just that.

When these two teams met on June 13, where Edmonton won 106-88, it was a game decided by the three-ball. The Stingers shot 13/27 from beyond the arc compared to the River Lions' 4/29. Both teams will be trying to finish the year off hot before entering the playoffs, and a win for Edmonton against a top team in the league could be precisely what the Stingers need.

Not to mention, a win for the Stingers also keeps them in contention for a home playoff game as long as Calgary loses both of their remaining games this season.

The fight will be on for Edmonton to come away with the win and improve to 11-4 in their last 15. 

Keys to the game

Can Edmonton's defence contain Niagara's leading scorers? 

Keep Niagara under 90 points.

Find ways for Edmonton to knock down more threes.