Plus League Match Week 26 Preview and Thoughts
Five games that could determine the rest of the season in the PLG
Checkmate?
The Lioneers, Kings, and Braves are all jostling for the final two playoff spots. The Lioneers and Braves host the match week 26 fixtures, with the Lioneers facing the Kings on Saturday (5/4) and the Braves hosting the Taipei/New Taipei derby (雙北市大戰) on Tuesday (5/7). Neither of the two host teams can afford to drop any games this weekend, especially against the Kings. For the Lioneers, a win would improve their playoff chances and seeding, while putting pressure on the Braves to keep pace. The Braves are in the middle of a tight and packed schedule (three games in four nights). For the Braves, a win against the Kings keeps their playoff hopes alive.
Regular Season Champs
The race for the first seed is tightening up in the final stretch of the regular season. The Dreamers and Pilots are both on the road against teams playing the tail end of back-to-back games. The Dreamers can close in on the top seed with a win and a Pilots loss. Both teams have been in great form, with the Dreamers going 4-1 in their last five games and the Pilots 8-2 in their last 10. Keeping pace with each other is crucial leading up to their final head-to-head match on May 11th, which the Dreamers currently lead the series 4-3.
Ideal Season Length
Forty games seem like a near-perfect amount for the regular season. Twenty home games provide ample opportunities for fans to watch their teams play. Eight head-to-head games allow teams to challenge and adapt to each other throughout the season. The season is long enough to create separation between teams but short enough to make most games feel impactful. Unlike the NBA's 82-game season, which has its benefits but can lead to "dog days" where fixture pileups and road trips can drag a team’s form down. In a compacted season like the Plus League, each game holds a higher statistical value, and teams must stay locked in to avoid falling behind. The end-of-season race is amplified with every passing game, much like a title race or relegation battle in European football leagues. Counting remaining games, checking head to head results, and concentrating on small “mini leagues” between teams around each other in the standings. The NBA did have an intense playoff and play-in race in the Western Conference, but that excitement quickly dampened both teams who emerged from play in matches got smashed in the first round.
Most Anticipated Game - Kings @ Braves (5/7)
The Taipei/New Taipei derby always has a playoff-like atmosphere. The Braves have won the last three meetings and lead the season series 3-4 going into this final fixture. Playoff and seeding positions are on the line.
If you're interested in tuning in this weekend, you can easily watch all the games on the official Plus League YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/@PLEAGUEofficial).
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