Game Preview: Skyforce @ Stars

Salt Lake City Stars (11-9)
Last Meeting: 119-107 on 2/12/22 in Sioux Falls
Livestream: NBAGLeague.com
All-Time Record: 11-5
Streak: W4

The matchup tonight at the Maverik Center looms large for potential Western Conference playoff standings, as both team's final contest before all-star break features the fifth seed (Sioux Falls) and the sixth seed (Salt Lake City). 
Just a half game separates them and with a victory the Force can move just a half game behind South Bay for the fourth seed with just 15 games remaining in the regular season.  

The Skyforce comes into the game after defeating the Westchester Knicks 114-96 on Friday night in Bridgeport, CT, snapping a two-game losing streak and the first victory for Sioux Falls over an Eastern Conference opponent in the regular season. 

All seven players to play scored in double figures, with three players posting a double-double (Landon Kirkwood with 19 points and a career-high 11 rebounds, Kadeem Jack with 17 points and 11 rebounds and Jon Elmore with 14 points and a career-high 10 assists). 

Javonte Smart and Micah Potter combined for 56 points (Smart with 34) on 19-37 FGA and 20 rebounds (Potter with 15) in both team's last contest on 2/12/22, which was a 119-107 victory at the Sanford Pentagon. Smart would go on to ink a two-way deal with the HEAT after the contest.  Potter, who spent the season last year with Sioux Falls, is currently on a two-way contract with the Utah Jazz and Salt Lake City Stars. 

The four-game winning streak over the Stars, which dates back to the 2019-20 season, is the longest amongst Western Conference foes for the Force. 

Salt Lake City comes into the contest with Sioux Falls winners in four of their last five games and is one of the hottest teams in the NBA G League. They split with the Lakeland Magic in Florida over the weekend, with a 126-116 defeat on Saturday night

Stacy Davis had 36 points on 16-22 FGA, while Rawle Alkins added 17 points and 11 rebounds in the victory.

The Skyforce has a 10-day break for all-star weekend and returns to action on 2/23 against the third seeded Mexico City Capitanes (13-6), which will mark the first contest between the two organizations. Tip-off is slated for 6:30 PM CST from the Sanford Pentagon.

TWO THINGS

WEST WARRIORS
• The Sioux Falls Skyforce owns a 10-3 record against the Western Conference in the regular season. The record is third best in the West and fifth in the NBA G League. Sioux Falls has won 10 of the last 11 games vs Western Conference foes and four in a row. 

CAREER NIGHTS
• Landon Kirkwood posted a career-high 11 rebounds to go along with 19 points. He went 5-7 3PA on Friday night against Westchester. Sioux Falls is 2-0 when Kirkwood starts in the regular season. • He is averaging 16.5 points on 56.3 percent from deep (9-16 3PA), eight rebounds and 2.5 assists.  • Jon Elmore was a rebound away from a triple double (14 points and career highs in rebounds (nine) and assists (11). The Force is 7-4 during 2022-23 when Elmore has five-plus assists.