IOWA WOLVES (12-9) AT SAN DIEGO CLIPPERS (12-9)

Preview

SAN DIEGO (Interstat) — A midseason matchup of two .500-plus teams with identical records will highlight the G League schedule Friday night when the Iowa Wolves visit the San Diego Clippers at Frontwave Arena.

Both teams enter the contest at 12-9, with the Wolves coming off a 120-110 home victory over Sioux Falls on Sunday. The Clippers are riding high after a dramatic 126-125 road win at Long Island on Tuesday.

The game features two of the league’s most consistent performers in Iowa guard Jules Bernard and San Diego forward Zach Freemantle. Bernard is averaging 21.4 points, 5.2 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game, coming off a dominant 30-point, 9-assist performance in his last outing. He has scored 24 or more points in six of his last ten games.

Freemantle provides a versatile inside presence for the Clippers, averaging 14.6 points and 6.0 rebounds. He is capable of explosive performances, evidenced by a 32-point, 10-rebound, 6-assist, 4-block stat line in a narrow loss to Sioux Falls on Dec. 28, followed by a 24-point, 11-redouble-double in Tuesday’s win.

Iowa’s victory over Sioux Falls was powered by Bernard, along with center Joan Beringer (14 points, 13 rebounds, 5 blocks) and forward Nate Santos (24 points, 6 rebounds). San Diego’s win at Long Island saw Freemantle lead the way, supported by guard Jaelen House’s 29 points and 6 assists and forward Patrick Baldwin Jr.’s 17-point, 10-rebound, 6-assist effort.

The Wolves have shown a potent offense, scoring 120 or more points in four of their last six games. The Clippers have been inconsistent defensively, allowing 125 points or more in three of their last five contests, a trend they will need to reverse against Iowa’s attack.

This contest opens a brief two-game series between the teams, who will meet again at Frontwave Arena on Saturday night. For Iowa, it begins a challenging five-game road trip. For San Diego, it is the start of a three-game homestand.