Preview: Noblesville Boom at Long Island Nets

UNIONDALE, N.Y. (Interstat) — Two of the G League’s hottest teams will meet Sunday when the Long Island Nets host the Noblesville Boom at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum.

The Nets (18-14) have won five of their last six games, including a 143-123 road rout of Windy City on Thursday. The Boom (16-15) have won seven of their last nine, most recently a 129-117 victory at Osceola on Wednesday.

The matchup features a compelling duel between standout forwards. Noblesville’s Ethan Thompson enters on a torrid stretch, averaging 27.1 points, 7.9 rebounds and 6.3 assists over his last eight games. He is coming off a 31-point, 10-rebound, 8-assist performance against Osceola.

Long Island will counter with E.J. Liddell, who scored 30 points in 29 minutes in Thursday’s win. Over his last seven games, Liddell has averaged 17.7 points and 7.1 rebounds while providing strong interior defense.

Both teams have been potent offensively during their recent surges. The Boom have scored 124 points or more in six of their last seven wins. The Nets have eclipsed 108 points in five of their last six victories, including a season-high 143 last time out.

Noblesville’s recent success has been a team effort. In Wednesday’s win, Gabe McGlothan added 25 points and Cameron Hildreth scored 25 off the bench. Long Island’s blowout of Windy City featured a historic triple-double from guard Malachi Smith, who posted 17 points, 15 assists and nine rebounds.

The game is the first of a two-game set between the teams at the Coliseum, with a rematch scheduled for Tuesday. It marks the only meetings of the regular season between the Eastern Conference squads.

Sunday’s winner will secure a winning record heading into the final stretch of the G League Showcase Cup season.