SOUTH BAY LAKERS (24-15) AT SANTA CRUZ WARRIORS (14-25)

Preview

BONNY DOON, Calif. (Interstat) — The surging South Bay Lakers visit the struggling Santa Cruz Warriors in a G League matchup Sunday at Kaiser Permanente Arena, looking to continue their dominance in the season series.

South Bay (24-15) has won five straight games and eight of its last 10, including a 129-120 road victory over Oklahoma City on Wednesday. The Lakers have also won both prior meetings against Santa Cruz this season, a 115-95 victory on Nov. 21 and a 108-105 win on Nov. 23.

The Lakers are led by guard Nick Smith, who is averaging 22.2 points, 5.2 rebounds and 5.0 assists over his last five games. He scored 28 points with seven rebounds and six assists in the win over Oklahoma City. Forward Chris Manon added 14 points and eight rebounds in that contest.

Santa Cruz (14-25) snapped a two-game skid with a 121-117 home win over Birmingham on Wednesday but has lost seven of its last 10. The Warriors will rely on center Charles Bassey, who has recorded a double-double in four consecutive games. Over that stretch, he is averaging 20.8 points and 12.3 rebounds per game. In the win over Birmingham, Bassey posted 24 points and 14 rebounds.

Guard Taevion Kinsey, who scored 27 points against Birmingham, and Chance McMillian, who added 21 points and seven assists, provide backcourt scoring for the Warriors.

The teams last played on Friday, March 6, but no result from that contest was provided for this preview.

South Bay’s current win streak includes decisive road victories at Valley (129-98) and Texas (127-105). Santa Cruz’s recent struggles include narrow losses to Rip City (128-126) and San Diego (130-126).

Following Sunday’s game, South Bay will host Iowa for two games starting Wednesday. Santa Cruz begins a two-game road trip at Cleveland on Friday.