Locked into second place in the Central Division and third overall in the National Basketball League of Canada, it might be said the playoff-bound St. John’s Edge are in fine-tune mode as they close out their first-ever regular-season schedule against the Niagara River Lions at Mile One Centre.
In that case, Carl English was hitting on all cylinders Saturday night at Mile One, so much so that the star from Patrick’s Cove could be driving toward a league scoring title.
English scored 38 points as the Edge (24-15) downed the River Lions 125-115.
That gives English an average of just over 24.5 points per game heading into the Edge’s regular-season finale tonight (7 p.m.) against the River Lions (16-23). Royce White of the defending champion London Lightning had 24 points Easter Sundayas the Lightning closed out their schedule with a 140-136 win over the visiting Island Storm. That gives White, the reigning league MVP, an average of just a speck under 24.7 ppg.
Rough math says English would need to score at least 30 points tonight in order to win the scoring race in the numerical equivalent of a photo finish.
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Taking the scoring title out of the equation, St. John’s head coach Jeff Dunlap’s inclination would be to give the 37-year-old English a night off in order to rest up for the upcoming playoffs, or at least cut back his playing time.
However, Dunlap indicated the call will be English’s.
“If that is what he wants, that’s fine. If he feels (a shot at a scoring title) would be a feather in his cap, that’s understandable,” said Dunlap, who said he’ll discuss the matter with English this morning
“We’ll talk and we’ll see where it goes from there.”
He’s already approached forward Charles Hinkle about his taking some down time today. Hinkle, who is fourth in league scoring with almost 21 points per outing, has played every game this season and 1.367 minutes in total. That’s more than 200 greater than the next highest player on the team (Alex Johnson).
“He was fine with it, but actually said didn’t think it would make a difference one way or another,” said Dunlap of his talk with Hinkle, who scored his season average against Niagara on Saturday.
The Edge’s best-of-five opening-round playoff series against the Windsor Express could involve five games in nine days, with travel. That rather compressed schedule, plus the expected intensity increase that comes with the post-season, factors into the Edge coach looking to rest some of his starters tonight, but he’s also looking for some of those who have been mostly bench players to step up in different roles.
“I want to see some other guys show what they can do,” added Dunlap, whose lineup decisions — along with player performances tonight — could help determine St. John’s playoff roster.
St. John’s has 14 players but can only dress 12 for games. Forwards Xavier Ford and Russell Byrd are currently on the inactive list, both suffering from illness.
In fact, with the Edge’s place in the standings home-court advantage in the series against the Express assured, Dunlap suggests he is less concerned about tonight’s result than he might otherwise be.
“I played (Saturday’s game) to win, but I don’t feel quite the same about tomorrow,” Dunlap said Sunday. “You always want to win, but I honestly don’t think I feel quite as strongly about it as I did in the first game (against Niagara).”
Notes
Tonight’s game isn’t just the final regular-season game for the Edge and Lightning. It’s the last one for the league as a whole. Every other team has played 40 games … The Halifax Hurricanes finished on top of the Atlantic Division and first overall (28-12), with London — which will face Niagara in the opening round of the playoffs — in second overall as the Central Division champ. The Cape Breton Highlanders and KW Titans did not advance to the playoffs … Before March 21, Edge guard Jarryn Skeete never played more than 23 minutes a game and never got a start. But Skeete has started the last three contests, averaging 33 minutes of floor time, and more than 13 points, four rebounds and five assists … The dates and start time for all three of the Edge’s home games in the first-round series against Windsor have been finalized. Game 1 is Friday April 6 (7 p.m.) ay Mile One while Game 2 is there on Sunday, April 8 (2 p.m.). In a Game 5 is necessary, it would be Sunday, April 15 (2 p.m.). Games 3 and 4 (the latter if necessary) are April 11 and 13 in Windsor …
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