Game Preview: Skyforce vs Herd
November 19, 2023 - NBA G League (G League)
Sioux Falls Skyforce News Release
Last Meeting: 100-80 on 12/6/22 in Sioux Falls
Live stream: NBAGLEAGUE.COM
All-Time Record: 3-2
Streak: W2
The Sioux Falls Skyforce embarks on their first road trip of the season, after finishing a three-game home stand with wins in the last two games over the Cleveland Charge and Grand Rapids Gold.
Justin Champagnie led all scorers with 35 points on 12-22 FGA and 12 rebounds, while adding six steals and a game-high +16 +/-. HEAT two-way player Jamal Cain added 21 points on 8-15 FGA and 10 rebounds, as well.
Sioux Falls out-rebounded their opponent for the second-straight game and scored 29 points on 24 Grand Rapids' turnovers, while holding the Gold to 25.6 percent from deep (10-39 3PA).
The Skyforce is expecting reinforcements from the HEAT, as Nikola Jović has been assigned to the team and Cole Swider has been transferred to the Force, as well.
"Anytime we can get help from the HEAT, we will take it," Skyforce head coach Kasib Powell said. "Both players bring unique aspects to the game and we are all excited any chance we can share the floor with them."
Marques Bolden leads Wisconsin into the contest, as he's averaging a team-high 17 points and 7.5 rebounds in just 22.8 minutes a game. The team also features NBA veterans Glenn Robinson III and Wenyen Gabriel, while two-way players TyTy Washington Jr. and Lindell Wigginton are threats on the perimeter, as well.
A win today against the Herd would be six-straight on the road, and three-in-a-row over Wisconsin, which dates back to the 2022-23 season.
Sioux Falls defeated the Herd 100-80 and led by as many as 33 in both team's last meeting on 12/6/22 from the Sanford Pentagon, where Orlando Robinson led the way with 21 points and 13 rebounds, while Cain added 19 points and DJ Stewart contributed 16 points and three steals.
Both teams meet again for the series finale on Tuesday from Oshkosh Arena, as the Skyforce wraps up the road trip on Wednesday with the first trip to Windy City since 2021.
JUS GETS BUCKETS
- Justin Champagnie is off to a hot start for the Skyforce this season and has produced three-straight games of 26+ points.
- His 29.3 points per game is good for third in the NBA G League right now and first for players with three-plus games played and of all non-two-way or assignee players, as well.
- JC's four steals a game is also good for third in the NBA G League, first of players with three-plus games played, as his six steals on Thursday secured a career-high.
- "Justin is playing at an extremely high level right now," Powell said. "The game is coming to him and he is seeing the benefits of his hard work and being in a system for a second consecutive season. The sky is truly the limit for him."
STATS ON STATS ON STATS
- The Skyforce ranks 4th in the NBA G League in assists (26.7) and fast break points (21.7), seventh in pace of play (106.60 and 10th in turnovers (16.0) per game.
- Jamal Cain is currently second in the NBA G League in points per game (29.5).
- Brandon McCoy, who spent time with the Wisconsin Herd, is ninth in the NBA G League in rebounding (10.3 per game). He ranks fifth amongst players who have played three-plus games and third in that category of non-two-way players.
BACK IN THE BADGER STATE
- Skyforce guard and Milwaukee native (Riverside High School) Alondes Williams makes his return to his home state.
HEAT CONNECTION
- Wisconsin Herd head coach Beno Udrih spent part of the 2015-16 season with the Miami HEAT, where he averaged 4.4 points and 2.5 rebounds in 36 appearances.
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