LeVaughn Flynn, Staff Reporter

Dallas Mavericks guard Devin Harris (34) ties up Houston Rockets forward Tracy McGrady stripping the ball from McGrady as he drives to the basket in the second half of their NBA basketball game in Houston on Wednesday night. Dallas won 100-94. - Reuters

Game One of the KFC National Basketball League semi-finals is set for this evening, following Wednesday's postponement, with defending champs St. George's Slayers facing perennial rival Urban Knights in the feature match at 7:45 p.m. at the National Stadium courts.

That game will be preceded by the other semi-final which sees Blazing Panthers playing Tivoli Gardens All-Stars at 6:00 p.m.

Depleted squad

A weakened Slayers will go into the semi-finals without three of their big men - Kali McCarthy, Gary 'Rookie' Cummings and Sean Jeffries - and guard Lance Grandison will be a game-time decision after being cut on his hand.

Despite their inactivity due to lack of training and a depleted squad, the traditional late bloomers remain confident.

"We're going to have to bank heavy on experience," said Slayers captain Rohan Robinson. "We're going to have to dig deep and rely on team effort as we did in the previous games."

Slayers swept Runnin' Rebels 2-0 in their quarter-finals and Robinson pointed out that they won easily without any one man doing all the scoring.

The previous two games this season between Slayers and Knights have been split 1-1 and were won by a point each.

Disciplined outfit

Knights, a disciplined outfit coached by Calvin Martin and Kevin Alexander, are in a good position to get the better of Slayers this year having lost to them last season.

Not only do they have the experience and the good teamwork to match Slayers, but have remained sharp with regular training sessions.

"The team is very confident because our training sessions have been very intense daily," said captain Linton Murray.

"Everyone knows that the Slayers beat us in the finals last year and the semi-finals the year before and we don't want this to occur again."

Murray also added that except for Jason Green, the Knights will be out in full force.

OUTSIDE THREAT

With the post presence of Damion Young and the outside threat of Paul Oliphant and Levar Henry, former four-time champs Tivoli Gardens will be looking to return to the top of local basketball.

Panthers currently stand in their way and are also seeking their first trip to the final.

Coach Donald Bimmer said they are prepared to deal with the challenges Tivoli will pose.

"We have to pay attention to their top scorers," said Bimmer. "They have Damion Young in the post and we have to try and keep him off the boards and they have Paul and Levar on the perimetre so we also have to be quick on getting back on defence."