South Bay Lakers Drop Rip City Remix

The South Bay Lakers played in their second NBA G League Winter Showcase Cup game against the Rip City Remix as they lost, 110-114, on Saturday night. Jack White led the Lakers (0-2) in scoring with 24 points. Malachi Smith paced the Remix (2-0), scoring 33 points.

Both teams came out firing in the first frame, with seven combined 3-point shots in the first five minutes. Rip City got out to a seven-point lead around the halfway point of the quarter before South Bay was able to quickly trim that deficit down to just two. It was a team effort for the Lakers in the first with four players scoring five or more points, including six points, one assist and one block from two-way player Colin Castleton in his first action of the season.

Castleton continued his impressive play on the defensive end in the second frame, impacting shots at the rim and closing out possessions with rebounds. South Bay found it difficult to convert transition opportunities after getting defensive stops, keeping the Remix in the game. It was a balanced scoring effort from both teams as the Remix finished the first half with four double-digit scorers. A strong second quarter from Jack White saw him lead the way for South Bay with 11 points and nine boards. South Bay trailed by just one, 54-55 at the break.

Malachai Smith put up eight quick third quarter points to give the Remix a four-point lead halfway through the third frame. A key stretch to end the third quarter saw a missed South Bay free throw that would have cut the lead to two, spark a 7-0 Rip City run to end the quarter. The Lakers went into the final period down 11, 81-92. 

A 9-0 Lakers run to start the quarter saw South Bay reach striking distance, but again they found it difficult to fully close the gap. The Remix responded with a 12-2 run of their own to stretch their lead back to 14 with five minutes to play. However, South Bay rallied again with a 13-4 run to tie the game with 40 seconds left. Smith made a driving floater to put the Remix back up two and eventually help the Remix seal the game, 110-114.

White put together a final line of 24 points and 16 rebounds, good for the second-highest board tally of his career. Castleton stuffed the stat sheet, adding 22 points, nine rebounds, seven assists, and three blocks. For the Remix, all five starters ended in double figures with Smith leading the way with 33 points and nine boards, while Kris Murray added 16 points, six rebounds and four assists. 

South Bay will face off in a third successive game against the Rip City Remix next Friday, Nov. 17 at 5 p.m. from the Chiles Center in Portland, Ore.