Basketball: Tigers enhance play-off hopes

Nick Moore and Josh Murray hit 23 points each for Thames Valley Tigers last night in an 87-68 win at Milton Keynes Lions to strengthen their hopes of a place in the BBL Championship play-off quarter-finals.

Nick Moore and Josh Murray hit 23 points each for Thames Valley Tigers last night in an 87-68 win at Milton Keynes Lions to strengthen their hopes of a place in the BBL Championship play-off quarter-finals.

Moore, a 6ft 4in guard from Toledo, scored 12 of his points in the third quarter as Tigers opened a 64-54 lead. The Lions and Tigers, seventh and eighth in the table, are trying to keep BBL newcomers Plymouth Raiders, ninth, out of reach of the play-offs.

Tigers' path to victory last night was eased with 22 free throws in the second half, and they will seek to maintain their winning run tonight when London Towers visit Bracknell.

The Tigers' coach, Paul James, said: "Obviously Towers do have some of the best players in the league, but we feel we can match them in most positions. Playing on our floor gives us that extra edge which can be vital in these games."

Birmingham Bullets, rooted to the foot of the table with two wins from 19 games, have bolstered their line-up with three signings who will make their debut at home to Milton Keynes tonight.

The biggest addition is 6ft 10in American centre Johnny Phillips, originally from Texas Tech, who has traded his height and rebounding ability in Kosovo, Bahrain, Mexico and Venezuela.