Defending champions Urban Knights will face Majesty Gardens in today's feature game of the Flow National Basketball League (NBL) Southern Conference semi-final double-header at the National Stadium Courts, starting at 6 p.m.

In the day's other game, former champions Tivoli Gardens Wizards will oppose St George's Slayers at 8 p.m.

The Knights are firm favourites to retain their title after they recorded impressive victories over Majesty, Slayers and Wizards in the league competition earlier in the season.

They ended the season atop the standings with nine wins against two loses and are followed by the Wizards (9-2), Slayers (8-3) and Majesty Gardens (8-3).

However, the match is expected to be an exciting encounter as both teams are evenly matched in all departments.

Kevin Alexander, assistant coach of the Knights, said he is expecting a tougher match from his opponents, who he described as a good all-round team.

"We are going to come out really intense from the opening whistle and once we play as a team then we should win this game," said Alexander.

confident

Alexander added that his team has prepared well for this encounter and they are raring to go.

"We are very confident, but we have lost two games this season and we have learnt from this and once we get production from our big men inside the paint then we should be able to outscore them," Alexander said.

Knights will be depending heavily on the likes of guards Javon Bailey, Fernando Young and forward Andy Smith.

Meanwhile, Marlond Nattie, coach of Majesty, who have been having an up and down season, said they would be placing a lot of emphasis on their defensive unit in order to prevent the Knights from scoring in the paint.

"We have to be consistent and make sure that we play a good defensive game," said Nattie, who is a former president of the Jamaica Basketball Association.

Nattie added that he was confident his team can turn the table on their opponents, but they will have to maintain their focus for the entire game.

"When we lost to them, we only played well in the last quarter and once we can get a good start then we should be able to come out on top," Nattie said.

Majesty, who were last year's beaten semi-finalists, will rest their hopes on guards Kemar McLeish, Baldon Todd, centre Maurice Blackwood and forward Havando Dunn.