Leicester Riders 104
Bernardini 25, Watson 24, Hassan 14, Lamble 12, Losonsky 11, Roland 10, Anderson 6, Gamble 2, Noel, Washington, Rowe.
Manchester Giants 82
Watts 16, Eaves 14, Best 14, Gill 10, Murtagh 10, Jones 8, Kohn 8, Bernard 2, Purcell, Wait.
Leicester Riders got their BBL Championship campaign off to a winning start with a 104-82 victory over Manchester Giants.
Although the final scoreline looks dominant enough, it wasn't until Neil Watson's third quarter onslaught put Manchester to the sword that Riders truly got on top in the game.
Indeed, they spluttered through the opening five minutes of the game, failing to take the chances they created and finding themselves 12-4 behind at the mid-point of the opening quarter.
Tyler Bernardini helped them finally get going late in the first period, netting the final nine of 13 unanswered points as Riders took their first lead in the game at 17-12.
Manchester, though, responded well and there was only a point between the sides at the end of the first quarter.
Leicester again edged in front but David Watts' three-point shooting meant they could get away and, when the visitors posted a 10-3 run just before half-time, it gave them a 44-37 advantage.
Another Bernardini three-pointer ensured Leicester were only two points adrift at half-time and whatever coach Rob Paternostro said during the interval had the desired effect on the Riders team..
Pavol Losonsky had the first five and Watson the next five as Riders poured in the first 12 points of the third quarter in the blink of an eye to lead 56-46.
Bernardini netted his third three-pointer of the contest and that was soon followed by a barrage from Watson.
The guard hit three long-range efforts in quick succession to leave the Giants reeling.
In the space of less than seven minutes, Watson had scored 16 points and set up a further six as Riders turned a two-point deficit into a 19-point lead.
Manchester must have been grateful to see him sit down for a rest, only Bernardini was still on court and still piling up the points as Riders led 78-55 after a spell of 37 points to nine.
Essentially the game was done at that point, Manchester closed the gap to 15 in the final quarter, but they never threatened a serious comeback.
Bernardini and Watson combined for eight three-pointers in 16 attempts while posting 49 points between them. And with six players in double figures, Riders will be satisfied with their opening night's work, particularly the second half.
