Preview: Scarborough Shooting Stars host Ottawa Blackjacks

SCARBOROUGH, Ontario (Interstat) — The Scarborough Shooting Stars will look to tighten their grip on the Canadian Elite Basketball League standings when they host the Ottawa Blackjacks on Saturday at Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre.

Scarborough (16-4) owns the league’s best record entering the 7 p.m. tipoff. The Shooting Stars have won four of their last five games, though they dropped a 98-89 decision at Niagara on July 10. Ottawa (10-12) remains in the middle of the playoff race after a 105-98 home loss to Hamilton on July 12.

The teams have split the season series. Scarborough trounced Ottawa 108-80 on June 19, but the Blackjacks returned the favor with an 88-86 home win on June 23.

Scarborough forward Frank Mitchell has been a force on the glass. The 6-foot-8 small forward grabbed 22 rebounds June 27 against Hamilton and added 24 points, eight rebounds and four assists in the loss at Niagara. In eight games since June 19, Mitchell has recorded six double-doubles while averaging nearly 14 rebounds.

Ottawa guard Javonte Smart enters on a tear. The shooting guard poured in a season-best 38 points on July 8 against Montreal, adding six rebounds and six assists. In his past seven games, Smart has scored at least 19 points six times and has averaged more than 24 points and seven assists.

Smart’s supporting cast includes center Alex Fudge, who had 14 points, six rebounds and four blocks against Hamilton, and point guard Kobe Elvis, who added 12 points and six assists in that same contest.

Scarborough counters with a deep rotation. Center Anthony Walker posted 15 points and eight rebounds against Niagara, while point guard Myles Powell chipped in 15 points and four assists.

Ottawa’s stretch run includes a home rematch against Scarborough on Wednesday, then road games at Montreal and Niagara. Scarborough hosts Niagara on Friday and Montreal on Sunday.

Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. at the venue that hosted basketball during the 2015 Pan American Games.