Vipers Visit Blue in G League Showdown

OKLAHOMA CITY (Interstat) — The surging Rio Grande Valley Vipers look to solidify their playoff positioning when they visit the struggling Oklahoma City Blue in a G League matchup Tuesday night at Cox Convention Center.

The Vipers (28-19) enter on a strong run, having won seven of their last 10 games despite a 123-115 road loss at Santa Cruz on Saturday. Guard Daishen Nix has been a dominant force, averaging a near triple-double of 21.3 points, 8.3 rebounds and 6.3 assists over his last 10 contests. He is coming off a 31-point, 12-rebound performance in the loss to Santa Cruz.

Rio Grande Valley has won both meetings against the Blue (16-30) this season, 120-119 on Dec. 12 and 109-94 on Feb. 1. Oklahoma City’s lone win in the season series came at home on Nov. 7, 116-114.

The Blue aim to halt a three-game skid, most recently falling 115-108 at Memphis on Saturday. Guard Zhaire Smith provides a bright spot, averaging 18.3 points over his last three games, including a 21-point effort in the loss to Memphis.

The Vipers’ offense, which has scored 116 points or more in six of its last 10 games, will test an Oklahoma City defense that has allowed 121.8 points per game during its current losing streak. Rio Grande Valley’s recent success has been fueled by Nix’s all-around play and contributions from forwards like Tristen Newton, who scored 28 points Saturday.

Oklahoma City will need efficient scoring from Smith and improved defensive cohesion to counter the Vipers’ balanced attack and avoid falling further in the Western Conference standings.

Tuesday’s contest is the final home game for the Blue before a two-game road trip to Iowa. The Vipers return to Texas for a two-game homestand against Memphis following this matchup.

Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. CDT.