Jelson Homes DMU Leicester Riders face a huge test of their top-four credentials tomorrow when they travel to Milton Keynes (5.0).

Riders leapfrogged Lions into the home play-off berths last weekend and even coach Rob Paternostro, who usually plays down the importance of league standings, was pleased to see his team in the top four.

"At this stage in the season it does provide a bit of a psychological boost," he said.

"In November or December being in the top four is a little different but, when the calendar turns to March and you are there, it's nice to see.

"We feel like we belong with the good teams in the league now and it's important we continue to show that."

The last time these two sides met a month ago, the game ended with a fracas that saw three players ejected. Paternostro, though, does not expect to see tempers flair again tomorrow. He said: "That happens from time to time and the most important thing is to go into the next game and just play basketball.

"I don't anticipate anything like that again, both teams understand how important the game is.

"I expect a physical game, but I don't think we'll see anything like what happened last time."

The significance of the game is magnified by the fact that the winner will claim the season's head-to-head series, which is used to separate teams who end the campaign level on points.

Having claimed third spot ahead of Guildford by that method last season, Riders know how vital winning this game could be for them.

Paternostro said: "Winning the series is big. We saw last season how important it can be. They have a lot of talent so, if we can beat them and claim the tie-breaker at the same time, it is certainly going to beneficial to us."

Lions have gone into something of a tailspin in the last couple of weeks with four defeats in a row, all by hefty margins, which has coincided with a ligament injury to centre Frank Holmes.

Paternostro added: "It's easy to say 'They've lost four in a row' but who have they lost to? – Newcastle, Sheffield, Everton and Glasgow. As far as the schedule goes, you don't get a much more difficult run of games than that.

"Frank Holmes is one of the best players in the league. Not a lot of teams can match his athleticism and size, so him being injured has certainly hurt them."

The initial prognosis for Holmes was a two week lay-off which would mean a return this weekend.

Riders: A Westbrooks, Williams, Fernandez, Wierzbicki, Bishop, Durant, I Westbrooks, Lamble, James, Windless, Johnson.

Lions: Fontaine, Harrison, Simon, Dupuy, Griksas, Youngblood, Morris, Spinks, Williams, Pringle, Holmes, New, Forde.

Kirby Muxloe Primary School won the Groby feeder schools Hoops 4 Health competition run by Riders' community section at Groby College.

More than 80 students took part and Kirby beat Elizabeth Woodville 11-6 in the final.