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PREVIEW: SKYFORCE AT WINDY CITY

By Sioux Falls Skyforce Staff /December 10, 2021

The series this weekend (Saturday and Sunday) features two teams looking to escape trends on the opposite side of their expectations. The Skyforce (1-9) come in losing their last six games, while the Windy City Bulls (2-7) come into the game losing six-of-seven games.

Sioux Falls is in the middle of a six-game road swing coming into the series with Windy City. It also marks the first time the organizations have played each other since February 27, 2019, where the Bulls defeated the Skyforce 116-111. Saturday also will be the first time Sioux Falls will play Windy City in Hoffman Estates since March 4, 2017, where the Skyforce defeated the Bulls 129-124 in their inaugural season.

The Skyforce come into the game with positives, despite their record. They have held a lead at halftime in seven games this season. Their 37.3 percent from beyond-the-arc shooting is good for third in the G League. The team also averages 14.2 threes made per game, which is good for fourth.

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The bench came to play in the series finale against Motor City on Wednesday, as the unit combined for 44 points, behind career-tying 17 points on 6-15 FGA from Mike Smith, career-high 12 points on 4-4 3PA from Jay Henderson and 11 points from Martin Krampelj.

Coming into the contest, Windy City has three players that are averaging 20-plus points per game (minimum three games):  Chicago Bulls two-way player Tyler Cook (24.7), Daniel Oturu (20.6) and Bulls two-way player Daniel Oturu Devon Dotson (20.1). However, Chicago now has four players in the health and safety protocol, so it will be determined if the Skyforce see their triple threat.

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Look for the Skyforce to aggressively try to win the rebounding battle, as Windy City ranks 26th in the G League (43.1 per game). Getting to the rack will be another crucial facet to the matchup, as the Bulls lead the league in fouls (23.3 per game). A final key to victory is the deep ball. Windy City is second to last (30.1 percent), compared to Sioux Falls ranking third, as said above.

Make no mistake, Windy City has fought hard. They played tough with the Wisconsin Herd (6-2) in the first of two games in the beginning of the month. They were the first team to defeat the Herd, with a 102-101 victory behind 32 points from Tyler Cook on December 1 in the series finale.

The weekend series is also a homecoming for Mike Smith, Tarkus Ferguson and assistant coach Renaldo Major. Ferguson played his collegiate basketball at the University of Illinois-Chicago. All three were born and raised in the Chicago area.

Tip-off is slated for 7:00 PM CST on Saturday and 5:00 PM CST on Sunday.

WHAT: Skyforce at Windy City Bulls

WHEN: 7:00 PM CST on Saturday, 5:00 PM CST on Sunday

WHERE: Now Arena

WATCH: NBAGLeague.com