Preview: Osceola Magic at Birmingham Squadron

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (Interstat) — The Osceola Magic and Birmingham Squadron will meet for the second time in three days Saturday at Legacy Arena, with the visiting Magic looking to continue their strong season and the home Squadron seeking to halt a slide.

The game tips off at 7 p.m. CST on Jan. 10.

Osceola (14-8) enters with momentum, having defeated Birmingham 111-106 on the same floor Thursday. The Magic have won seven of their last 10 games. Birmingham (9-14) has lost three of its last four, including the recent defeat to Osceola.

A key matchup will feature two of the G League’s top guards. Osceola’s Lester Quinones is averaging 20.8 points, 5.6 rebounds and 3.5 assists over his last 10 games. He posted 17 points and nine rebounds in Thursday’s win over Birmingham.

He will be countered by Birmingham’s D.J. Carton, who is coming off a 30-point, eight-assist performance in that same game. Carton is averaging 17.3 points and 6.7 assists over his last 10 contests.

The Magic’s attack is balanced. In Thursday’s victory, Ja’Vonte Smart scored a team-high 24 points and Alex Morales added a double-double with 13 points and 12 rebounds. For Birmingham, forward Josh Oduro contributed 25 points and nine rebounds in the loss.

This is the fourth meeting this season between the affiliates of the Orlando Magic and New Orleans Pelicans. Osceola holds a 2-1 edge, including a dominant 120-77 win on Nov. 14. Birmingham’s lone victory was a 122-118 result on Nov. 16.

Following Saturday’s game, Osceola travels to face College Park on Monday. Birmingham continues a homestand Sunday against Raptors 905.