PUERTO LA CRUZ, Venezuela (Interstat) — The Anzoátegui Marinos host the Caracas Spartans on Tuesday night at Luis Ramos de Puerto La Cruz in a Venezuelan SLB matchup that carries playoff implications.

Anzoátegui (14-10) enters on a three-game winning streak against the Spartans, including a 77-71 victory on May 15 in Caracas. The Marinos have won four of their last five overall, with their only loss a 78-77 defeat to Zulia on May 6.

The Spartans (16-9) have dropped two of their last three, including a 97-61 blowout at Caracas on April 28. Their most recent win came May 6 against Miranda, 109-79.

Forward Michael Carrera leads Caracas. In the May 15 loss to Anzoátegui, Carrera logged 29 minutes with 13 points, seven rebounds and two blocks. Over his past five games, he averaged 12.6 points and 6.6 rebounds. He posted a season-high 20 points and nine rebounds in an 80-76 overtime win over Carabobo on April 25.

For Anzoátegui, guard Michael Bryson has been a key contributor. In the May 15 win at Caracas, he played 35 minutes, scoring 15 points with eight rebounds and one block. In his last five games, Bryson averaged 15.0 points and 4.4 rebounds, including a 20-point, seven-rebound effort in a 77-69 win over Maracaibo on May 5.

The Marinos also got strong performances from center Malik Dime (14 points, six rebounds, three blocks) and forward K.J. McDaniels (12 points, eight rebounds, three assists) in the May 15 contest.

The Spartans have relied on depth beyond Carrera. Guard Kyle Foster had 10 points and four assists in the May 15 loss, while forward Luis Almanza added 12 points and two rebounds.

Tuesday’s game is the fourth meeting between the teams this season. Anzoátegui has won three straight in the series: 77-71 on May 15, 69-60 on April 21 and 71-66 on March 21.

A win for the Marinos would pull them within one game of the Spartans in the standings. A Caracas victory would extend its lead to three games.