MANCHESTER Magic are looking for some added ‘cheer’ to help them through two home games that could make or break their season.

The treble champions have wobbled in recent weeks – and want all the support they can get as they take on London Leopards in the National Trophy semi-final on Sunday evening (5pm) and league leaders Reading Rockets next weekend at their Amaechi Centre base.

Cup final defeat to Reading last month and a morale-sapping overtime league loss at Leopards last weekend have left Magic egos bruised.

But, ahead of the semi-final rematch with the Londoners, coach Jeff Jones believes a big, noisy crowd can help his team get back on track.

“These are two huge games for us,” said Jones. “And it would be great to see full house to support us.

“Hopefully, we will get the same kind of excitement that the Leopards game provided – but with a different outcome.

“People have expected us to always win at home just lately, so maybe some have stayed away because we having been blowing out some teams easily.

“But for the semi and against Reading next week, people will see top-quality basketball and close-fought games.”

A repeat of the thrills provided in London last week would be a treat for the Amaechi Centre crowd.

Jones described the rollercoaster contest – in which saw Magic go 29 points behind, fightback to force overtime, then lose by two – as “surreal”.

“In 39 years in basketball I’ve never been involved in anything like it,” he said. “As bad as we were for 25 minutes, to come back like we did showed character. There was a realisation among the players after the lethargy at the start we to wake up. But then losing players in overtime killed us.

“Now we have to be ready from the start and go for it.”

Magic must first deal with a league trip to mid-table Tees Valley on Saturday night.

“We know we can’t afford another defeat in the league,” said Jones. “We just have to get through it and not wear the players out for the semi.

Two who Jones will be trying to wrap in cotton wool are key men Brandon Kimbrough, who is recovering from a wrist injury, and Steve Boonham (calf). 
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