Preview: Salt Lake City Stars at South Bay Lakers

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (Interstat) — The surging Salt Lake City Stars, led by dominant big man Oscar Tshiebwe, visit the .500 South Bay Lakers in a G League matchup on Thursday, Jan. 29, at the UCLA Health Training Center.

The Stars (19-11) enter with the better record and momentum from a 126-113 victory over Santa Cruz on Monday. They have, however, been inconsistent in January, going 4-5 in their last nine contests. Their strength remains in the paint, anchored by Tshiebwe. The center is averaging a double-double and is coming off a 17-point, 16-rebound performance. In his last eight games, he has recorded six double-doubles, including a 20-rebound, 8-assist, 4-block outing in a win at Sioux Falls on Jan. 18.

South Bay (13-13) looks to build on a blowout 125-95 win over Mexico City last Saturday. Forward Arthur Kaluma powered that victory with 25 points and has been a consistent scoring threat, averaging 16.1 points over his last nine games. The Lakers have struggled defensively, allowing 120 or more points in five of their last eight games.

The recent head-to-head series favors Salt Lake City. The Stars won both meetings last November and December, including a 136-105 rout at home on Dec. 2. Containing Tshiebwe will be a primary concern for a South Bay interior that allowed 125 points in the paint across those two losses.

For Salt Lake City, secondary scoring behind Tshiebwe will be key. John Tonje scored 25 points in the win over Santa Cruz, and Matthew Cleveland added a double-double. South Bay will rely on Kaluma’s offensive burst and the playmaking of guard Augustas Marciulionis, who dished nine assists last game.

The contest is the first of a quick home-and-home set, with the teams meeting again in El Segundo on Saturday. Thursday’s game tips off at 7 p.m. PST.