Dirk Williams’ dominant performance led the London Lions to a convincing 107-80 blowout win over the Manchester Giants at the Copper Box Arena on Sunday afternoon.
The Lions took the lead early and never relinquished their advantage, overpowering a tired looking Giants team, moving the East-London side to an impressive 3-1 record in the BBL Championship.
A Giant Problem-
The travelling Giants were unable to find any answer to stop Williams as he torched the Mancunians from every angle on the court, finishing the game with a perfect percentage from two-point range.
Yet, the vast majority of damage would come as a result of his off-ball movement, netting six of his 11 open looks from three- scoring a team high 30 points.
Dirk, with his slight and lanky frame, was just too quick and shifty for the Giants defence, escaping any defender they threw at the 6’6” forward.
Williams would drain two buzzer beating 3-pointers to end the first and second quarters, electrifying the crowd and keeping their energy alive with a breakaway basket in the second quarter, dancing around the defender with a euro-step and finishing the layup with ease.
Halftime
Lions 51 | Giants 37
HE DID IT AGAIN! @Dirkwilliams11 CAPS OFF HIS 18 POINT FIRST HALF WITH ANOTHER BUZZER BEATER! pic.twitter.com/33m0gGNrlv— London Lions (@LondonLions) December 5, 2021
Big Bench Boost-
The bench from the home side provided great support, with Lorenzo Cugini scoring 18 points whilst also grabbing 5 rebounds. Captain Justin Robinson, used off the bench to provide an offensive punch to their second unit, scored 12 points and threaded 5 assists as the Lions bench tallied an outstanding 40 points for the game.
Deadly Defence-
Causing an inefficient shooting night for GB captain Dan Clark is usually an impossible task, but that’s just what the Lions stifling defensive scheme was able to achieve, holding Clarke five for 16 from the field and a measly two for 10 from three.
Dan would still account for 17 individual points and rebounds, an impressive double-double stat line no matter the efficiency.
It was a good night for the Lions as they bounced back from their first loss of the season to the Eagles in Newcastle on Friday night. The Lions now look-ahead to next Friday when they take on the Leicester Ryders in the BBL Cup.
