VIPERS EXTEND WINNING STREAK TO NINE WITH THE HELP OF CHRISTOPHER

Lakeland, Fla. (Dec. 10, 2022) – The Rio Grande Valley Vipers (12-3), the NBA G League affiliate of the Houston Rockets, extended its winning streak to nine games after a 95-93 victory over the Lakeland Magic (5-8) on Saturday night at RP Funding Center. 

RGV grasped a 5-0 lead over the Magic during the first two minutes of the game. However, Lakeland went on a 6-0 run and took a 6-5 lead over the Vipers, but things changed after RGV went on a 6-0 run and set the score 12-6 in favor of RGV. The Magic then shut down the Vipers and went on a 7-0 run which allowed Lakeland to take back a 13-12 lead. 

With 29.4 seconds to go in the first quarter the game was at a 25-25 draw, but Lakeland then scored two points putting the team at a 27-25 advantage over the Vipers. With less than five seconds to go RGV turned things around after a Josh Christopher two-pointer which tied the match 27-27.

Lakeland then hit the ground running and obtained the lead of the game up until the 7:14 mark when RGV tied the game 36-36. With 4:15 left to go both teams were still tied 40-40, but Lakeland managed to pull away and led with a score of 52-48 at the half. 

The third quarter was a slow one for both teams. With 6:44 left, both teams had only scored a combined 15 points which set the score 59-56 still in favor of the Magic. Despite a slow third, RGV came back and turned the leaderboard around with a score of 77-74 in RGV’s favor. 

The Magic opened the fourth with a 7-0 run and a score of 84-74. Despite the away team being down, RGV came back with 40 seconds to go and tied the game 93-93. With two seconds to go Christopher gave the Vipers a 95-93 lead after scoring off a two-pointer. Despite the efforts of Lakeland to come back with two seconds left, the Vipers closed out the game with a 95-93 victory.

Houston Rockets assignee Josh Christopher led the night with 22 points and seven assists. Louis King finished with 13 points followed by Houston Rockets Two-Way player Darius Days with 12 points. Jalen Lecque and Trhae Mitchell both finished the game with 10 points each. 

Lakeland was led by Joel Ayayi with 18 points. Jay Scrubb finished with 15 points followed by Robert Baker with 14 points. Zavier Simpson posted 12 points while Simisola Shittu finished with 11 points.    

RGV returns to the court on Friday, Dec. 16 at 7:00 p.m. CT to take on the Memphis Hustle at Landers Center. Fans can stream the game via NBAGLeague.com.