Saskatoon vs. Ottawa
OTTAWA (Interstat) — The Ottawa Blackjacks look to snap a three-game losing streak Sunday when they host the Saskatoon Mamba in a Canadian Elite Basketball League matchup at TD Place.
Tipoff is set for 4 p.m. ET.
Ottawa (6-8) enters the contest having dropped three straight, including a 96-94 loss at Saskatoon on June 15. The Blackjacks have lost five of their past six games overall. Saskatoon (4-5) has won two consecutive games, both by narrow margins (Interstat) — the victory over Ottawa and a 94-88 win at Calgary on June 10.
The teams meet for the second time in six days.
Saskatoon forward Jaden Bediako has been a consistent force recently. The center posted a double-double in each of his past three games, all wins: 13 points and 12 rebounds in 26 minutes against Ottawa on June 15; 14 points and 12 rebounds with three blocks in 28 minutes at Calgary on June 10; and 17 points and 10 rebounds with one block in 23 minutes against Winnipeg on May 29.
Ottawa forward Matthew Cleveland has been productive despite his team’s struggles. In the June 15 loss at Saskatoon, he recorded 29 points, 11 rebounds and two assists in 33 minutes. Cleveland also scored 35 points with 10 rebounds and five assists in a 114-105 win over Fraser Valley on June 2. He has scored at least 19 points in five of his past six games, including a 27-point effort in an 88-117 loss to Winnipeg on June 4.
The Blackjacks have lost three straight at home.
Saskatoon’s Jaylin Williams added 13 points and seven rebounds in the June 15 meeting, while Tevian Jones scored 16 points.
Ottawa guard Javonte Smart contributed 25 points, four rebounds and two assists in that game, and center Ibrahim Cisse had four points, eight rebounds and four assists.
After Sunday’s game, Saskatoon hosts Edmonton on June 24, while Ottawa hosts Scarborough on June 23.