Preview: Stockton Kings at Texas Legends

FRISCO, Texas (Interstat) — The surging Stockton Kings visit the struggling Texas Legends in a G League matchup Friday night at Dr Pepper Arena.

Stockton (19-10) enters on the heels of a 114-109 home loss to Iowa on Tuesday, which snapped a three-game winning streak. The Kings have still won seven of their last 10 contests and boast one of the league’s top records.

Texas (13-19) looks to halt a three-game skid, most recently a 104-95 road loss to Austin on Wednesday. The Legends have lost eight of their last 10 games and seek stability at home, where they are 8-9 this season.

The game features a compelling backcourt duel. Stockton’s DaQuan Jeffries has been on a scoring tear, averaging 24.2 points over his last nine games. He erupted for 36 points, five rebounds and five assists in the loss to Iowa. His consistent high-level production has been a catalyst for Stockton’s success.

Texas will counter with dynamic guard Dalano Banton, who is coming off a 25-point, nine-assist performance against Austin. Banton has been a bright spot during the team’s slump, scoring 20 or more points in seven of his last nine outings, including a 36-point effort on Jan. 9.

For Stockton, support for Jeffries has come from Daeqwon Plowden, who added 20 points and eight rebounds against Iowa, and Jon Elmore. Texas relies heavily on the interior presence of Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, who recorded a 14-point, 14-rebound double-double last game.

The teams will meet again at the same venue Saturday night, concluding a brief two-game series. Stockton then hosts Mexico City for two games next week, while Texas will host Rio Grande Valley next Thursday.