Preview: Austin Spurs at Oklahoma City Blue

OKLAHOMA CITY (Interstat) — A clash of teams at opposite ends of the G League standings is set for Tuesday when the West-leading Austin Spurs visit the struggling Oklahoma City Blue at Cox Convention Center.

The Spurs (17-6) enter on a four-game winning streak, most recently edging the Salt Lake City Stars 120-118 on Jan. 15. Oklahoma City (6-19) has lost three straight and 10 of its last 11, including a 117-110 defeat at Stockton on Sunday.

Austin has dominated the season series, sweeping a two-game set from the Blue in November by scores of 116-110 and 110-96.

A key matchup will feature in-form guards Kyle Mangas of Austin and Oklahoma City’s Zhaire Smith. Mangas is averaging 21.1 points over his last eight games and is coming off a 28-point, 4-assist performance against Salt Lake City. He has scored 23 or more points in three of his last four outings.

Smith has been a bright spot for the Blue, logging heavy minutes and stuffing the stat sheet. He erupted for 40 points and 13 rebounds in a loss to Texas on Jan. 2 and nearly posted a triple-double with 25 points and 14 assists against Mexico City on Dec. 29. In his last game, he tallied 28 points, 5 rebounds and 8 assists.

The Spurs’ success has been built on consistency, with Harrison Ingram providing a double-double (15 points, 13 rebounds) in the latest win. Oklahoma City has struggled defensively, allowing an average of 117.2 points during its 1-10 skid.

Austin begins a four-game road trip with this contest, while Oklahoma City opens a brief two-game homestand before heading to San Diego.

Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. CST Tuesday at Cox Convention Center in Oklahoma City.