Game Preview: Skyforce @ Lakers

Last Meeting: L, 113-108 on 2/22/24 in El Segundo, CA
Live Stream: ESPN+
All-Time Record: 11-19
Streak: L2

The Sioux Falls Skyforce hits the second half of the four-game Los Angeles area road trip tonight in the series finale against the South Bay Lakers. 

The Force dropped its third-straight game on Sunday, as they ran out of gas towards the finish line in a 119-106 defeat to the Ontario Clippers, Despite the loss, Sioux Falls still holds a one-game lead atop of the Western Conference. 

Jamaree Bouyea secured a season-high 26 points on 11-23 FGA and a career-high 11 rebounds to go along with four assists and four steals. Caleb Daniels added 25 points on 10-19 FGA and 10 rebounds (first professional double-double) and four assists, while Manny Camper added 12 points and 10 rebounds. 

With the attention switched to South Bay, who used a late rally to defeat G League Ignite 124-117 on Sunday, the Skyforce looks to limit the Lakers bench. They totaled 76 of their 113 points on Thursday against Sioux Falls, as Bryce Hamilton led the way with 28 points. 

Los Angeles assigned 2023 NBA first round draft pick Jalen Hood-Schifino ahead of their game with Ignite, as he went for a game-high 29 points on 9-12 FGA. Hamilton added 24 points off the bench for the Lakers. 

The Skyforce needs to limit second half opponent points off turnovers and second chance points, as they've given up 40 points in the last two games combined. 

Sioux Falls ends the road trip on Thursday with a 1:00 PM CST tip-off against Ontario before heading to Oklahoma City to face the Blue on March 5th (11:00 AM CST tip-off). 

SWIDER MAN'S RETURN

· HEAT two-way player Cole Swider returns to South Bay to face his former team, as he spent the 2022-23 season as a two-way player for Los Angeles and South Bay. 
· Swider has seen a big jump from year-one to year-two, as he is averaging 7.5 more points per game (24.6) this season with the Skyforce and was selected to the 2023 NBA G League All-Star Game last week in Indianapolis, IN. 
· Swider has seen a big jump from year-one to year-two, as he is averaging 7.5 more points per game (24.6) this season with the Skyforce and was selected to the 2023 NBA G League All-Star Game last week in Indianapolis, IN. 
· The Skyforce is 8-1 this season when Swider plays with the team. 

CROSS COUNTRY CAIN

· Jamal Cain joins the Skyforce for the first time since January, as will make his 10th total appearance with the squad in 2023-24. 
· In his nine appearances, he's averaged 24.0 points on 53.9 FG%. 9.6 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 2.1 steals per 38.0 minutes. 

DANIELS DOES IT

· After averaging just 7.7 points per game in January, Caleb Daniels has seen an uptick in performance. He's averaging 17.3 points on 53.5 FG% this month  (43.9 3P%) and 5.0  rebounds per game. He has had 19+ points in six-of-nine outings in February.
· He posted back-to-back career highs at Oklahoma City and Texas (26 and 28 points) and is currently on a streak of four games with 20+ points scored, followed by his first professional double-double (25 points and 10 rebounds).