Two teams that have been used to playing in the post-season missed out this season to make way for a post-season debutant and a returning re-born franchise.
In their third BBL season, the Durham Wildcats make their maiden British Basketball League playoff bow as they defeated the Birmingham Knights 113-81 and then saw-off the Cheshire Phoenix 104-96.
Danny Huffor led Durham with 23 points as they gradually distanced themselves from the Knights as the match progressed. Brent Benson led Birmingham with 29 as they end their first season bottom of the BBL without a win, the second team to achieve that unfortunate feat in two seasons.
Durham then clinched their playoff birth by beating Cheshire Phoenix at home. Huffor again led the scoring with 27 points, but it was veteran Ralph Bucci who stole the local headlines with a superb triple-double of 16 points, 14 rebounds and 13 assists.
In the second season of the re-born Manchester Giants after they originally folded in 2001, they have reached the playoffs by beating London Lions 97-86.
David Aliu led the Giants with 23 points as they put the disappointment of losing 48 hours earlier to the Sheffield Sharks 86-69 to continue their journey.
The Glasgow Rocks and the Plymouth Raiders, two regular fixtures in the post-season will miss out this year after disappointing seasons where the team chemistry never really got going in Glasgow whereas the Raiders were hampered by inconsistency and several off-court troubles at the start of the season.
Glasgow were beaten this weekend away at Worcester Wolves 84-79 but returned home to beat Surrey United 94-81 on the final day, but by then, their fate was sealed.
Plymouth deservedly beat the London Lions in the capital 102-94 to stay in the playoff picture but fell short when they lost at home to the Sheffield Sharks 81-71. Mike Tuck and BJ Holmes both led Sheffield with 24 points as they finished second ahead of Worcester Wolves.
The Wolves ended their best-ever season with a comfortable 103-77 win over Surrey United. Alex Owumi led the Wolves with 24 points.
Playoffs: (1) Newcastle vs (8) Durham; (2) Sheffield vs (7) Manchester; (3) Worcester vs (6) London; (4) Leicester vs (5) Cheshire
Notes: Manchester Giants reached the BBL playoffs with practically an entire British team that were born in Manchester … Plymouth Raiders’ founder and match night commentator Keith Mollard has decided to put down the microphone after 31 years. He was nicknamed ‘The Voice of the Raiders’ … Newcastle Eagles had the week off this weekend. They began the season at home to Durham Wildcats and will start their playoff campaign against the Wildcats … The BBL have announced that they expect up to 17,000 fans at the 02 Arena for the 2015 Playoff Final. BBL COO Andy Webb said: “We have been delighted by the early uptake of tickets, particularly given the length of time until the event. This is further evidence of the growing status of the sport and our Finals and I would urge all basketball supporters to book their tickets now to get the best possible seats.”
