Lakers Hand Skyforce Third-Straight Loss
December 15, 2018 - NBA G League (G League)
Sioux Falls Skyforce News Release
EL SEGUNDO, CA - The South Bay Lakers (9-9) fended off the Sioux Falls Skyforce (11-6) in the final minutes to win 124-119 at the UCLA Health Training Center on Saturday night. The Skyforce have now dropped three-straight games, all to Pacific Division opponents.
Much like Friday night's loss, Sioux Falls carried a small lead into the final period before being bested over the course of the last 12 minutes. Travis Wear (22 points) scored 10 points in the fourth quarter alone to help close things out for the Lakers.
Miami HEAT two-way player Yante Maten (30 points and 17 rebounds) bounced back in a big way after scoring a season-low 10 points in his last outing. Maten's game-high 30 points paced the Skyforce in a game that saw 20 lead changes and six ties throughout the contest.
In total, seven different Sioux Falls players scored in double figures on the night, including Bubu Palo (17 points), Raphiael Putney (15 points) and Rodney Purvis (12 points), who combined for 44 points off the bench on the night.
A trio of double-doubles from Jemerrio Jones (16 points and 11 rebounds) and Los Angeles Lakers two-way players Alex Caruso (17 points and 12 assists) and Johnathan Williams (15 points and 13 rebounds) proved too much for the Skyforce to handle as South Bay has now won seven of its last nine games.
Miami HEAT two-way player Duncan Robinson (12 points) was held in check on Saturday night, matching his lowest point total of the season while DeAndre Liggins (13 assists, seven points and five rebounds) failed to score in double-figures for the second-consecutive game since his return from injury.
The Pacific Division has plagued the Skyforce all season long, accounting for five of the team's six losses. Saturday's game marked the first time this season that Sioux Falls has lost despite shooting over 50 percent (50.6) from the field.
The Skyforce will now look to build on its 7-2 home record at the Sanford Pentagon, as the Iowa Wolves (5-11) visit on Monday, December 17 in advance of the MGM Resorts Winter Showcase next week.
The Lakers' next game will come against the Greensboro Swarm (8-8) on Thursday, December 20 in what will be the team's first of two matchups during next week's showcase.
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