If you're a Leopards fan, keep the middle Saturday in April free for a jaunt to Coventry.

That's because the Essex side assured themselves of  play-off spot on Tuesday night, an emphatic 97-83 defeat of Manchester Giants at Brentwood enough to put Bob Donewald's side over the margin required to book their ticket.

The hosts took control of the game in the third quarter, with 8-2 and 9-2 tears, which increased a 46-41 half-time lead out to 72-63 at the end of the third quarter.

Leopards then started the fourth quarter brightly with six unanswered points early on that extended their lead out to 80-66. Giants rallied with a 2-7 run midway through the final period, but it was not enough. 

Rashod Johnson was in fine form with a game-high 28 points; Rico Alderson added 25 points and 8 rebounds. Justin Phoenix was the Giants' top marksman with 25 points and 7 boards.

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