G League Preview: Struggling Herd Face League-Leading Raptors 905

MISSISSAUGA, Ontario (Interstat) — A stark contrast in fortunes will be on display Thursday when the NBA G League’s best team hosts its worst as the Raptors 905 welcome the Wisconsin Herd.

The game tips off at 7 p.m. EDT at Hershey Centre.

Raptors 905 (36-13) enter on a dominant run, having won 10 of their last 12 games to solidify the league’s top record. Their most recent outing was a convincing 116-101 road victory over the Salt Lake City Stars on Monday. Forward Tyson Degenhart posted a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds in that win, part of a consistent stretch where he has averaged 11.0 points and 4.4 rebounds over his last 10 contests.

Conversely, Wisconsin (13-35) is mired in a prolonged slump, having lost 13 of its last 15 games. The Herd are coming off a heartbreaking 117-114 home loss to the College Park Skyhawks on Monday, their third consecutive defeat.

The Herd will lean heavily on guard Mark Sears, who is amid a stellar individual run despite the team’s struggles. Sears is averaging 19.1 points and 4.6 assists over his last 10 games, including a 30-point, 6-assist performance in Monday’s narrow loss. His backcourt mate, Kira Lewis Jr., added 18 points and eight assists in that game, while Johnny Davis contributed 20 points and 10 rebounds.

The Raptors 905 boast a more balanced and efficient attack, with guards Tyreke Key (23 points Monday) and A.J. Hoggard (18 points, seven assists) providing potent support around Degenhart. Their .735 winning percentage stands in direct opposition to the Herd’s .271 mark.

This is the first of a quick two-game set between the teams at Hershey Centre, with a rematch scheduled for Saturday. Wisconsin will look to find an answer for the league’s elite and snap its skid, while Raptors 905 aim to continue their march toward the top playoff seed.