Basketball: Sheffield wary of Bullets' confidence

Margins for error are becoming slimmer as the BBL Championship enters its final month. Leaders Sheffield Sharks, Brighton Bears and Chester Jets are separated by just two wins at the top of the table, while Milton Keynes Lions, Birmingham Bullets and Essex Leopards are separated by two wins in the battle to claim the final play-off quarter-final slot.

The Sharks face a difficult trip to the Aston Events Centre tonight, despite having won their last six games against the Bullets and all three Championship games this season. Tony Garbelotto's Birmingham have won their last two games to close in on eighth-placed Lions, and Chris Finch, the Sharks coach, said: "Those couple of wins will build their confidence. Tony will come up with a game plan that makes us think, and how we react to that will be the key."

Chester are away to London Towers, who they beat 84-82 in last weekend's BBL Trophy Final. But Jets may be without BBL leading scorer Kenny Gregory, who has knee ligament damage.

The Jets coach, Robbie Peers said: "Kenny is really struggling. He took some pain killers and was very tough against Towers [in the Trophy Final] and now he's facing the consequences."

With Thames Valley Tigers and Newcastle Eagles already certain of a play-off place, the Towers and Scottish Rocks could also seal their places this weekend, leaving only the battle for eighth place to be settled. The Leopards are away to the Tigers tonight with the Lions travelling to the Rocks tomorrow.