Game Preview: Skyforce at Knicks
Published on February 10, 2023 under NBA G League (G League)
Sioux Falls Skyforce News Release
Westchester Knicks (6-9)
Last Meeting: 121-113 on 1/26/19 in Westchester
Livestream: NBAGLeague.com
All-Time Record: 9-1
Streak: W3
The Sioux Falls Skyforce faces the Westchester Knicks on Friday night looking to bounce back after being swept by the Long Island Nets in a back-to-back at Nassau Veterans Memorial Stadium.
In his first game back after missing two games, DJ Stewart led the Skyforce with 20 points on 6-12 FGA and four assists on Wednesday against Long Island in a 130-95 defeat.
Jon Elmore and Sam Thompson combined for 30 points on 13-22 FGA, 13 rebounds and nine assists off the bench. Maintaining play from the first half will be a focal point for Sioux Falls. The Force held a 63-58 lead over the Nets on Tuesday night's game and trailed 64-52 on Wednesday.
They were outscored 65-34 in the series against Long Island after owning a plus-minus of plus-34 in the previous two games before playing the Nets. After winning four of their last five games, Westchester dropped their last two games against the College Park Skyhawks on Monday and Wednesday.
New York Knicks two-way player DaQuan Jeffries has led Westchester in scoring in the last three games and is leading the team in points per game (19.9), blocks (1.2), steals (1.9) and minutes (33.3).
Despite currently being in the fifth playoff slot for the Western Conference, Sioux Falls can jump to fourth place with a victory night. They will face the Salt Lake City Stars (10-8), who are currently sixth, on Monday at 8:00 PM CST.
THREE THINGS:
FIRSTS FOR KP
Skyforce Head Coach Kasib Powell, who is 58 miles from Total Mortgage Arena, earned his second victory as interim Head Coach when he filled in for Nevada Smith in 2018-19. Powell would go 2-0 on an east coast road trip, with a victory over the Delaware Blue Coats, as well.
FORCE FRIDAY
Sioux Falls owns a 3-0 record on Fridays in the regular season, with two of them being on the road. The team has a plus-minus of plus-40 in such games. Sioux Falls is averaging 116.6 points and gives up just 106.3 points in games on Fridays.
FUN FACTS
Sioux Falls is 4-0 all-time on the road against the Westchester Knicks.
The Skyforce swept Westchester 2-0 in the opening round of the 2016 NBA G League Playoffs before going on to win the title. The game with the Knicks tonight marks the first time the teams will meet since 1/26/19, when Duncan Robinson, Raphiael Putney, Rodney Purvis and Charles Cooke III combined for 97 points in a 121-113 victory.
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