Cleveland vs. Birmingham
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (Interstat) — The Cleveland Charge and Birmingham Squadron will complete a rare back-to-back set Saturday when they meet again at Legacy Arena just three days after a defensive struggle between the teams.
The Charge (14-10) edged the Squadron (9-20) 70-67 on Thursday night in a game that tipped off a four-game road trip for Cleveland. Saturday’s rematch promises a contrasting tempo, as both teams are coming off recent high-scoring performances.
Cleveland arrives having won three of its last four, including a 125-105 road victory over the Grand Rapids Gold on Tuesday. Forward Luke Travers has been a catalyst, averaging 15.1 points, 10.1 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 1.9 blocks over his last seven games. He nearly posted a triple-double Tuesday with 13 points, 15 rebounds and nine assists.
Birmingham seeks to end a seven-game losing streak, most recently a 116-114 home loss to Greensboro on Monday. Despite the team’s struggles, center Hunter Dickinson has been a consistent force, recording a double-double in eight of his last 10 outings. He is averaging 19.2 points and 11.0 rebounds over that stretch, including a 26-point, 10-rebound performance Monday.
The Squadron’s offense, which has been held under 100 points four times during the skid, will need to find more consistency against a Charge team that has scored at least 112 points in nine of its last 10 games.
Following Saturday’s contest, Cleveland returns home to host Memphis on Jan. 30. Birmingham continues a five-game homestand by hosting Sioux Falls on Jan. 28.
Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. CST at Legacy Arena.