Preview: South Bay Lakers at Rio Grande Valley Vipers

EDINBURG, Texas (Interstat) — The South Bay Lakers and Rio Grande Valley Vipers will meet for the second time in four days when the G League teams face off Tuesday night at Bert Ogden Arena.

The Vipers (13-12) narrowly defeated the Lakers (12-11) 126-121 on Saturday in a high-scoring affair. Rio Grande Valley’s Isaiah Crawford led all scorers with 29 points, while South Bay’s R.J. Davis countered with 27 points, seven rebounds and eight assists.

Both teams enter the rematch looking to solidify their positioning in the Western Conference standings. The Lakers have lost three of their last four games, including two close road defeats to Austin. The Vipers have split their last six contests, coming off a pair of lopsided losses at Mexico City last week.

Davis, a guard, is the focal point for South Bay. He is averaging 18.1 points, 6.1 rebounds and 5.1 assists over his last seven games, including his near triple-double in the previous meeting here. Center Kylor Kelley, who had 10 points and 14 rebounds Saturday, provides a key interior presence.

For Rio Grande Valley, forward Isaiah Crawford has been a consistent offensive force, averaging 20.2 points over his last five outings. The Vipers’ backcourt of Daishen Nix, who recorded a triple-double (18 points, 10 rebounds, 13 assists) in Saturday’s win, and John Knight (27 points) poses a significant challenge.

The season series is tied 1-1, with South Bay having won the first meeting in December. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. CST.

South Bay begins a four-game homestand after this contest, while Rio Grande Valley hosts Rip City for two games starting Thursday.