JAY MARRIOTT says Plymouth Raiders must win back-to-back this weekend to keep alive their fading play-offs hopes.

Raiders are currently 5-14 and five wins adrift of the eighth and final play-off spot in the BBL Championship.

This weekend they visit 6-12 Worcester Wolves on Saturday (7pm) before entertaining 3-18 Essex Pirates at the Pavilions on Sunday (4pm).

Coach Gary Stronach's team have played back-to-back on four previous occasions this season and have lost all eight contests.

Raiders reserve guard Jay Marriott said: "We really have to win these games this weekend. I don't think any player is thinking anything different; we've all said that at practice this week.

"There's no shame in the two losses (against top two, Newcastle Eagles and Sheffield Sharks) last week, but when we play teams in and around us in the league, we have to beat them.

"If we slip up against them, that could be it, sadly."

Raiders' league record has dipped to 5-14 following a four-game losing streak in all competitions.

Everton Tigers are 10-9 and currently eighth and have gone 2-2 in their last four contests.

To finish 18-18 this season and close to what is set to be the benchmark for eighth spot, Raiders, intimidatingly, have to go 13-4 in their remaining 17 games.

Raiders are coming off back-to-back defeats at Eagles and Sharks, last Thursday and Friday respectively.

Raiders fell 96-80 and 107-84 respectively.

During their current four-game losing streak, Raiders have been outgunned, on average, 28-13 from the three-point line.

Raiders currently rank bottom in the BBL in three-point shooting (27 per cent).

Interestingly, over their last four defeats, Raiders' opponents have only shot 36 per cent of three-pointers; Raiders have converted 33 per cent.

Raiders' opponents have simply taken twice as many attempts – 104 to 52.

Marriott, who is averaging 3.6 points in eight minutes per game this season, was a rare bright spot for Raiders at Eagles and Sharks.

He had 11 points in 11 minutes on Tyneside and 10 points in 14 minutes in South Yorkshire, shooting an excellent 5/10 three-pointers overall.

"It definitely felt good to get out there," said Marriott, who has been limited to nine appearances in Raiders' 19 league contests in 2009/10.

"Sadly the results went the wrong way, but at the same time I've got to feel perhaps this is an opportunity for myself to get on more now."

Marriott added: "I can understand where coach (Stronach) is coming from. He's brought people in this season and I've just tried to stay patient and positive.

"It paid off at the weekend; I took my chance with both hands."

Marriott, whose natural position at 6ft 3in is shooting-guard, was promoted to Raiders' BBL roster from the club's second team squad, which subsequently disbanded, last summer.

His minutes at Sharks effectively made Marriott Raiders' sixth-man – ahead of fellow reserves Allister Gall, Jamie Burchell and James Noel – in a nine-man rotation.

Marriott said: "For me, it's all about opportunity. I wouldn't have stayed here if I didn't think I would play.

"For a while I was caught between two camps – one who said I couldn't play at this level, without seeing me play; and one who wanted to see me play more."

He added: "It hasn't been a problem for me, thinking I could play at this level. It's just been waiting for the chance and making sure I'm ready for it.

"I have to thank my team-mates. For instance Drew (Lasker) always makes sure my mindset is the same as his and a player who is set to play 40 minutes."

Marriott continued: "Sometimes off the bench you try to prove yourself in a short space of time and it goes against you, so it helps getting those minutes.

"I missed my first few shots at Sheffield, but had the court-time to stay with it. That makes the world of difference.

"I know I can shoot the ball, but it always helps when the first one goes in. You start to feel confident.

"I like to think I'm a consistent shooter and have always tried to shoot the three in the 40s throughout my career.

"Any time you're shooting over 40 per cent from the three-point line, you're doing well."