Preview: Grand Rapids Gold at Motor City Cruise

WALKER, Mich. (Interstat) — A surging Grand Rapids Gold squad looks to rebound from a tough overtime loss when they visit the struggling Motor City Cruise in a G League matchup Tuesday night at DeltaPlex Arena.

The Gold (12-6) enter on the heels of a 149-145 overtime defeat at Noblesville on Sunday, a game in which point guard James Akinjo posted 34 points and 10 assists. Despite the loss, Grand Rapids has won seven of its last 10 games and sits near the top of the league standings.

Akinjo has been the engine for the Gold, averaging 20.1 points and 7.8 assists over his last nine contests. His backcourt play will be central against a Motor City defense that has allowed an average of 116.2 points per game.

The Cruise (7-10) have lost three of their last four, including a 116-101 home loss to Windy City on Saturday. Their season has been marked by inconsistency, though center Tolu Smith provides a nightly bright spot. Smith has recorded a double-double in six of his last seven games, averaging 17.1 points and 14.1 rebounds over that dominant stretch. His interior battle with Gold big men Moses Brown and Justyn Hamilton will be a key matchup.

The teams split a two-game series in Grand Rapids in November, with each winning on the other’s home floor. The Cruise took the most recent meeting 122-117 on Nov. 16.

Motor City will need to find answers defensively to slow a Gold offense that averages 126.2 points per game. Grand Rapids, meanwhile, aims to tighten its defense after allowing 149 points in its last outing.

Tuesday’s contest is the first of two meetings between the in-state rivals this season, with a rematch scheduled for Jan. 22 in Motor City.

Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. EST.