PUERTO LA CRUZ, Venezuela – The Car. Spartans and Anzoátegui Marinos meet Thursday night at Luis Ramos de Puerto La Cruz in a Venezuelan SuperLiga matchup with significant playoff implications.

The Spartans (17-10) hold a two-game edge over the Marinos (15-11) in the standings, but Anzoátegui has won three of the last five head-to-head meetings, including a 73-58 victory Tuesday. That win came after the Spartans took an 81-75 decision Monday in the same building.

Thursday’s contest is the fourth meeting between the clubs in seven days and the sixth overall this season. The Marinos lead the season series 4-1.

Car. Spartans forward Michael Carrera has been a consistent performer. In Tuesday’s loss, the veteran played 32 minutes, scoring 18 points with nine rebounds and one assist. Two days earlier in the win, he logged 34 minutes, posting 18 points, four rebounds, one assist and two blocks. Over his last seven games, Carrera has averaged 14.3 points and 6.6 rebounds.

For Anzoátegui, guard Michael Bryson delivered a game-high 21 points, five rebounds, one assist and two blocks in Tuesday’s victory. He played 30 minutes. In Monday’s loss, Bryson had 14 points, four rebounds and two assists in 32 minutes. Over his past six appearances, he has averaged 16.7 points per game.

The Spartans have split their last six games, with wins against Miranda (109-79), Carabobo (80-76) and Maracaibo (88-84), but losses to Zulia (81-87), Caracas (61-97) and Avila (88-91) (Interstat) — the latter two on the road.

Anzoátegui has won four of its last five. After Tuesday’s win, the Marinos defeated Zulia (77-78 loss), then beat Maracaibo (77-69), Margarita (70-58) and Falcons (84-80). Their only loss in that stretch was Monday to the Spartans.

In Tuesday’s game, the Marinos’ Malik Dime contributed 11 points and eight rebounds, while Gregory Vargas added 12 points, three rebounds and four assists. For the Spartans, center Jose Rojas Rodriguez had seven points, seven rebounds and one block; guard Jhery Matos scored five points with eight rebounds and two assists.

Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. local time.