IOWA WOLVES (13-10) at VALLEY SUNS (6-15)

Preview

TEMPE, Ariz. (Interstat) — The surging Iowa Wolves visit the struggling Valley Suns in a G League matchup Thursday night at Mullett Arena, featuring two of the league’s most dynamic individual talents.

Iowa (13-10) enters on a high note after a 105-98 road victory over San Diego on Saturday. Forward Alize Johnson has been a force, averaging 19.7 points, 13.8 rebounds and 5.6 assists over his last 10 games. He posted 24 points and 18 rebounds in the win over San Diego, supported by a 31-point effort from Jules Bernard and a 21-point, 16-rebound double-double from Enrique Freeman.

The Wolves have won three of their last five and boast a clear edge in the standings over Valley (6-15). The Suns, however, are coming off their most impressive performance of the season, a 124-102 rout of Oklahoma City last Wednesday. Guard Damion Baugh fueled that win with a spectacular triple-double of 28 points, 10 rebounds and 15 assists. Over his last seven contests, Baugh has averaged 24.1 points, 7.9 rebounds and 9.0 assists.

These teams met just two days ago on Tuesday, with no result provided, adding an element of immediate familiarity to this contest. The Suns will look to build on their recent blowout win and find consistency, having followed a three-game losing streak with that dominant victory.

A key matchup will be Johnson’s interior presence against a Valley defense that has allowed 120.1 points per game this season. The Wolves rank among the league’s better offensive teams and will test that Suns defense.

According to Interstat’s game simulator, Iowa is projected to win decisively, 123-100.

For Iowa, this begins a brief two-game trip before returning home. Valley continues a homestand before heading to Santa Cruz for a back-to-back starting Saturday.