BOOM FACE UPHILL BATTLE AGAINST LEAGUE-LEADING RAPTORS 905

MISSISSAUGA, Ontario (Interstat) — The surging Raptors 905 look to quickly return to their winning ways when they host the struggling Noblesville Boom in a G League matchup Thursday night at Hershey Centre.

Raptors 905 (19-2), owners of the league’s best record, saw a nine-game win streak snapped with a 114-110 home loss to San Diego on Jan. 2. They have been dominant otherwise, winning 18 of their last 20 and boasting a perfect 11-0 record at home this season.

Noblesville (8-12) arrives after dropping a 108-100 road decision to Maine on Jan. 2, its seventh loss in the last 10 games. The Boom have struggled away from home, posting a 3-7 road record.

The game features a compelling backcourt duel. Noblesville is led by guard Kyle Guy, who enters on a remarkable run of playmaking. Over his last 10 games, Guy has averaged 23.5 points and 8.9 assists, including a 39-point, 14-assist effort on Dec. 31 and a 23-point, 15-assist performance on Dec. 27. In the Jan. 2 loss, he posted 17 points and 10 assists.

Raptors 905 counter with Alijah Martin, a consistent two-way force. Martin is averaging 18.6 points and 5.2 rebounds over his last 10 contests. He recorded a 24-point, 7-rebound, 5-assist line in the recent loss and nearly posted a triple-double with 19 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists in a win over Westchester on Dec. 30.

The teams met just two days prior, on Tuesday, in a game whose details were not provided. Thursday’s contest offers a quick rematch.

For Noblesville to pull an upset, they will need secondary scoring behind Guy. Jalen Slawson (24 points) and Cody Martin (18 points, eight rebounds) provided support in the last outing. Raptors 905 center Olivier Sarr, who grabbed 18 rebounds against San Diego, will be a key factor controlling the paint.

The schedule offers little respite for the Boom, who begin a four-game road trip with this contest. Raptors 905 embark on a six-game road swing after Thursday’s game.

Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. EST.