Cruise Face League-Leading Raptors 905 in G League Showdown

MISSISSAUGA, Ontario (Interstat) — The Motor City Cruise look to build on their best offensive performance of the season when they visit the G League-leading Raptors 905 on Sunday at Hershey Centre.

The Cruise (16-17) are coming off a 135-105 rout of Memphis on Tuesday, a game in which they shot 58.2% from the field and dished out 38 assists. Forward Drew Peterson keyed the attack with a near triple-double of 21 points, eight rebounds and 10 assists in just 28 minutes.

Peterson has been a consistent force for Motor City, averaging 16.1 points, 6.4 rebounds and 6.0 assists over his last nine games. His versatile playmaking will be critical against a formidable Raptors 905 defense.

That task is a tall order. Raptors 905 (26-6) boast the league’s best record and are riding a two-game winning streak, including a 125-124 victory over Grand Rapids on Saturday. They rank near the top of the league in both offensive rating and defensive rating.

A player to watch for the home team is guard A.J. Lawson, who is coming off a 29-point performance in a win over Grand Rapids on Thursday. Lawson provides a potent scoring punch for a deep and balanced Raptors 905 roster.

The teams are heading in opposite directions in the standings. Motor City has won four of its last six but remains below .500. Raptors 905 have lost only once since Jan. 13, a stretch where they have gone 9-1.

This is the first of two scheduled meetings between the teams this season. They will meet again in Mississauga on March 22.

For Motor City, the game begins a stretch of seven of their next eight on the road. Raptors 905 play their next six games away from Hershey Centre following Sunday’s contest.