Preview: Santa Cruz Warriors at Oklahoma City Blue

OKLAHOMA CITY (Interstat) — Two teams at the bottom of the G League standings will look to halt slides when the Santa Cruz Warriors visit the Oklahoma City Blue on Tuesday afternoon at Cox Convention Center.

The Warriors (10-20) arrive after a draining 127-123 overtime loss to Iowa on Saturday, their third defeat in four games. The Blue (8-23) have lost five straight, most recently a 109-94 home loss to Rio Grande Valley on Sunday.

Santa Cruz will lean on guard Taevion Kinsey, who is in the midst of a stellar individual stretch. Kinsey is averaging 18.1 points, 3.9 rebounds and 3.9 assists over his last 10 games, including a 26-point effort in 41 minutes during the overtime loss to Iowa. His backcourt mate, Desmond Cambridge, is coming off a triple-double with 21 points, 10 rebounds and six assists in that same game.

Oklahoma City’s struggles have been defined by defensive lapses, allowing an average of 114.2 points during their five-game skid. Their offense has shown brief flashes, such as in a road sweep at San Diego on Jan. 23-24, but has lacked consistency.

History favors the Warriors decisively. In the only prior meeting this season, Santa Cruz routed Oklahoma City 106-71 on Jan. 4. Kinsey had 11 points, five rebounds and five assists in that victory.

For the Blue, turning the tide will require finding a scoring punch to complement their defense. They have failed to reach 100 points in three of their last five losses.

The game represents a critical opportunity for both clubs to build momentum before the season’s final stretch. Following this contest, Santa Cruz begins a two-game road trip at Memphis next week, while Oklahoma City prepares to host Sioux Falls for a two-game set starting Monday.

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