WINNIPEG (Interstat) — The Winnipeg Sea Bears host the Ottawa Blackjacks on Friday night at Canada Life Centre in a Canadian Elite Basketball League matchup with significant playoff implications.

Winnipeg (15-12) sits firmly in postseason position, while Ottawa (11-15) is fighting to keep its fading hopes alive. The Sea Bears won the most recent meeting between the teams, a 117-88 blowout on June 4 in Ottawa.

Ottawa enters on a three-game losing streak, most recently falling 106-102 at Niagara on Sunday. The Blackjacks have dropped four of their last five. Winnipeg has lost two straight, including an 88-86 home loss to Hamilton on Saturday.

Guard Javonte Smart has been Ottawa’s primary offensive threat. In his last eight games, Smart has averaged 26.3 points, 5.0 rebounds and 7.5 assists per game. He scored 38 points against Montreal on July 8 and recorded 30 points, five rebounds and eight assists in the loss at Niagara. Smart played a season-high 36 minutes in a 76-81 loss at Hamilton on July 2, finishing with 19 points and seven assists.

For Winnipeg, guard Xavier Moon leads the backcourt. Over his last three games, Moon has averaged 20.0 points, 5.0 rebounds and 9.3 assists. He posted 28 points, five rebounds and six assists in the loss to Hamilton, and recorded 17 points and a season-high 14 assists in a 109-80 win over Montreal on July 19.

The Sea Bears have been strong at home, where they hold a 9-5 record this season. Ottawa is 5-8 on the road.

Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. CT.