EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (Interstat) — The Memphis Hustle and South Bay Lakers, two Western Conference teams trending in opposite directions, will meet Saturday at the UCLA Health Training Center.

Memphis (8-11) arrives having lost three of its last four, including a 144-130 defeat at Salt Lake City on Wednesday. The Hustle have struggled defensively, allowing an average of 122.5 points in their last six games.

South Bay (9-8), meanwhile, has won three of its last four, with its only loss in that span a 124-123 overtime heartbreaker at Oklahoma City on Dec. 27. The Lakers are averaging 130.3 points per game during that stretch.

A key matchup will feature two of the G League’s top performers. Memphis forward Nate Hinton is coming off a career-high 32-point, 11-rebound effort against Salt Lake City, his third double-double in four games. Over his last 10 contests, he is averaging 14.2 points and 7.3 rebounds.

He will be countered by South Bay guard Kobe Bufkin, who erupted for 41 points, nine assists and three blocks in the overtime loss to Oklahoma City. Bufkin has scored at least 23 points in five of his last seven games, establishing himself as a primary offensive engine for the Lakers.

The Hustle will need a collective effort to slow South Bay’s attack. In Wednesday’s loss, Charlie Brown Jr. scored 24 points and Tyler Burton added 23, but the team’s defense could not contain the Stars.

This contest opens a critical home back-to-back for South Bay, which will host Memphis again on Tuesday. The Hustle continue a five-game road trip, seeking to climb back to .500.

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