MANCHESTER Giants head into Sunday's New Year derby clash with Cheshire Phoenix buoyed by a pair of Christmas wins.

The Giants followed up their victory over Durham Wildcats with another home success on Sunday, beating Surrey Heat 91-77 to take their record to 8/10 at the halfway stage of the BBL season.

It leaves the Giants in seventh place in the table and in the play-off places.

They had to come from behind to pull off a superb victory with a stunning fourth quarter against Surrey.

The visitors had the better of the first half, leading 24-13 after a quarter and 40-37 at the break.

But the Giants found their footing in the third to go into the fourth three down at 66-63 and launched a fourth-period assault to hit back.

They enjoyed a 22-3 run before Surrey bagged some late points when the contest was as good as over.

The win came off the back of outstanding performances from Mike Bernard and Callum Jones who hit 19 points each.

The veteran big man went to work inside claiming 11 rebounds as well, while Jones got to the basket repeatedly and claimed nine boards of his own as well as five assists.

Stefan Gill had 15 in one of his trademark gritty displays and Ben Eaves hit 13.

Coach Jeff Jones said: "We showed character to put together a great fourth quarter.

"It wasn't a great start but we stuck at it and went with what was working, going inside to Mike and Callum got to the basket well.

"It gives us some momentum to take into the new year."