G League Showdown Set for Salt Lake City as Stars Host Remix

SALT LAKE CITY (Interstat) — A stark contrast in fortunes will be on display Friday night when the surging Salt Lake City Stars host the struggling Rip City Remix in a G League matchup at Bruin Arena.

The Stars (15-2), owners of the league’s best record, enter on a seven-game winning streak. Their most recent action was a dominant 137-112 road victory over Raptors 905 on Dec. 22. Center Mohamed Bamba has been a force during this run, averaging 17.0 points, 13.3 rebounds and 3.0 blocks over his last six games. In the Dec. 22 win, he posted 17 points, 12 rebounds and five assists.

The Remix (10-9) look to halt a two-game skid, including a 129-126 home loss to Osceola on New Year’s Eve. Their season has been defined by inconsistency, particularly on defense. Rip City allows a league-worst 126.2 points per game, a vulnerability the high-octane Stars exploited in a 174-146 rout on Dec. 11.

Salt Lake City averages a G League-best 135.2 points per game. The teams split a two-game series in Rip City earlier this month, with the Remix winning 133-122 on Dec. 9 before the Stars’ explosive response two days later.

Rip City will rely on the all-around play of guard Dillon Jones, who is averaging 15.5 points, 7.1 rebounds and 7.6 assists over his last 10 contests. However, he was limited to five points in the Dec. 11 blowout loss to the Stars.

The Stars’ backcourt, led by Max Abmas (29 points in the last game) and Sean East, poses a major challenge for the Remix perimeter defense. Salt Lake City has won 10 straight at home.

Friday’s contest is the first of a back-to-back set between the teams, with a rematch scheduled in Salt Lake City on Saturday.