Basketball: Defoe back as Eagles look to bring down Jets

Newcastle lifted the BBL Trophy and Play-off titles and, already with the advantage of playing on home territory in tomorrow's semi, Defoe's return has boosted their chances of reaching the final.

Defoe began the season with German division two club Ulm, but Newcastle Eagles managing director Paul Blake said: "Darius had other offers from Germany and Iceland but decided to return to Newcastle.

"The added bonus is that he knows our system and most of the players and so it will hopefully be a smooth transition."

A crushing home defeat against the Scottish Rocks just 72 hours before they meet in the Cup semi-finals tomorrow suggests London Towers may as well save their travel costs ahead of the re-match at Newcastle's Metro FM Arena.

Rocks, the only unbeaten club in the BBL Championship, showed why on Thursday night, overpowering the Towers 91-70 at Crystal Palace.

The Towers' coach Robbie Peers denied his team were looking beyond Thursday night's game - and tonight's BBL Trophy group game against Milton Keynes Lions - towards tomorrow's Cup clash. He said: "There is no more important match than the one in front of you. We just say to the guys, win the next game."

Last night, Milton Keynes fired another salvo in an unpredictable season by beating Leicester 68-57 in the Championship.