Thunder face tough opener
The sides last met in the EBL Division 1 play-off final, in the last match of the 2012-13 season, when Rockets ran out 88-57 winners, which ended Thunder’s 12-game winning run.
Thunder have three successive away matches in the Trophy to start their season, before they host Team Solent in their first home match, in the National Cup, on September 29.
Thunder warmed up for their opening match with a 101-97 over-time friendly win over a USA Select side on Saturday. See match report and reaction on page 125.