ESSEX Leopards face a must-win game tomorrow when they travel to English Basketball League Division One leaders Hemel Storm.

The Big Cats bounced back from last Saturday’s 94-77 loss at Reading Rockets to hammer Manchester Magic 81-57 the following day but they cannot afford any slip-ups in their remaining seven games if they are to stand any chance of winning the title.

Hemel sit top of the league with a 16-5 record, with Rockets second on 14-3 and Leopards third with a 14-5 record.

The sides have already met twice this season with Leopards running out winners on both occasions.

A strong second half saw the Big Cats win the National Cup third round tie at the Brentwood Centre 76-58 while Leopards blew the visitors away in the third quarter of the league game at Southend to win 76-58.

>Leopards’ home game against Worthing Thunder on Sunday March 16 will now be played at the Brentwood Centre and not Garon Park, tip off 4pm.