Preview: Valley Suns at Rio Grande Valley Vipers

EDINBURG, Texas (Interstat) — The Rio Grande Valley Vipers look to solidify their position above .500 when they host the struggling Valley Suns in a G League matchup Saturday at Bert Ogden Arena.

The Vipers (9-8) return home after a 114-121 road loss to Sioux Falls on Wednesday. Despite the defeat, guard Daishen Nix continued his stellar play, posting 26 points, eight rebounds and 10 assists. Nix has been a triple-double threat, averaging 22.1 points, 7.2 rebounds and 7.6 assists over his last seven games, including a 34-point, 8-rebound, 10-assist performance on Dec. 6.

They face a Valley squad (5-13) that snapped a three-game skid with a dramatic 109-107 overtime victory at Memphis on Monday. The Suns are led by point guard Damion Baugh, who is in the midst of a sensational individual run. Baugh poured in 34 points and dished 10 assists in the win over Memphis, his fourth double-double in points and assists in the last 10 games. Over that stretch, he is averaging 23.2 points, 6.2 rebounds and 8.7 assists.

While Baugh has shined, consistency has eluded the Suns, who have lost 13 of their last 18 games overall. Their defense has been a particular concern, allowing an average of 124.2 points per game during that span.

The Vipers, conversely, have won four of their last six and boast a more balanced attack. Alongside Nix, forward Tyler Smith is coming off a 22-point game, and Isaiah Crawford added 19 points and nine rebounds against Sioux Falls.

This is the first meeting of the season between the teams. For Valley, the contest opens a two-game Texas road swing before returning home. Rio Grande Valley begins a brief two-game homestand before heading to Stockton for a back-to-back next week.

Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. CST Saturday. The Vipers will look to exploit their home-court advantage, where they are 5-3 this season, while the Suns aim to build momentum from their overtime win and improve upon a 2-8 road record.