GAVIN LOVE says Marjon Plymouth Raiders fans can expect another cracker against Sheffield Sharks at the Pavilions tomorrow (4pm).

Raiders supporters have enjoyed back-to-back thrillers at the club's home court in the last two weeks.

Love says if his players perform tomorrow fans can look forward to a tense occasion against perennial powerhouse Sharks, who are currently fighting financial problems off the court, in the BBL Championship.

Raiders won narrowly at Sharks, 85-83 on November 4 in their only other meeting this season, in the quarter-finals of the BBL Cup.

In 2010/11 Sharks won the BBL Cup to prevent a Mersey Tigers clean sweep of all four BBL championships.

This season, however, Sharks are 7-8 in mid-table, while 9-2 Raiders, who also visit 12-5 Worcester Wolves in the league tonight (7pm), continue to chase 15-1 leaders Newcastle Eagles.

"Sheffield's record may not show it, but make no mistake they're a great team," said Love.

"We had a really good performance when we won there with a buzzer-beater in the cup.

"If we can replicate that form tomorrow the fans should be in for another treat."

Raiders guard Michael Ojo said: "Sheffield were very, very tough when we played them earlier this season.

"I'm sure they'll come out and give us a good run for our money tomorrow. Back-to-back games are always tough."

Raiders supporters have enjoyed watching their team go 8-0 in the league at the Pavilions this season.

However, such dominance has not lent itself well to nailbiting finishes – until now when, like buses, two have suddenly come along back-to-back.

Raiders' fans have responded, filling out the Pavilions and creating wonderful atmospheres on what have proved special occasions.

"The crowd is definitely a huge factor for us at home," said Ojo. "Last Sunday they really got behind us and gave us that extra push we needed to get over the hump."

Raiders stunned Milton Keynes Lions 107-99 with late fireworks in last weekend's second leg to prevail 188-186 on aggregate in the BBL Trophy semi-finals.

Seven days earlier at the Pavilions, Raiders rallied spectacularly from 21 points down to overcome Glasgow Rocks 85-78 in the league.

"Everybody was there for us in terms of effort and passion," said Love of last weekend.

"But as fantastic as Sunday was – I'd never been happier to win or more proud of my team – we only had 24 hours to enjoy and then we're talking about another big weekend coming up.

"Every weekend seems to be a big weekend for us at the minute, but then it has to be if you want to win things.

"To play Worcester and Sheffield back-to-back is a heck of a challenge.

"It's super tough, because everyone is good this season and this is where we have the potential to slip up, so we really have to be ready.

"I've been impressed with how different players on different days have been stepping up in practice – and in games as well.

"As long as we continue to play with effort and urgency, we'll be fine."

Raiders have 19 league games left – and a two-legged BBL Trophy final – to pack into the final 10 weeks of the regular season.

Guard James Jones said: "Hopefully our depth will come into play.

"We're going to need guys like Anthony Martin, Jamal Williams and Tomas Janusauskas to play big off the bench, because we're going to have a lot of double headers now.

"As a player, as much as you think you can play 35 minutes a night back-to-back you can't. It's important to have that rotation."

In the second leg against Lions two of Raiders' Achilles heels suddenly became their strength and saviours.

Raiders currently rank bottom in the BBL this season in three-point shooting (26 per cent) and third-bottom in free-throw shooting (63 per cent).

However, last Sunday they coolly converted 75 per cent (18/24) from the foul line and 58 per cent (11/19) from the three-point arc.

Meanwhile, Raiders continue to shoot 54 per cent overall from the field, which ranks them second in the league in that department.

"Our field-goal percentage has been fantastic for the last two years," said Love. "But we've got to start knocking down outside shots.

"When we shoot above 75 per cent of free-throws we normally win.

"All these things are vital in a season when every team is good and can take you."

PLYMOUTH Marjon visit 3-10 Solent City in Division Three South of the EBL today (5pm).

George Hatchell's 7-5 team are coming off a 72-60 loss at 4-9 Bognor last Saturday.

The contest ran away from Marjon in the second quarter, which they conceded 23-10.