For the first time in their six-year history as a member of the NBA Development League, the Mad Ants not only had a winning regular season record (27-23), but also qualified for the playoffs as the No. 6 seed.When: 7 p.m. today
Where: Canton, Ohio
Records: Mad Ants 11-12, Canton 14-10
Webcast:
Mad Ants leaders: Luke Harangody (20.7 ppg), Harangody (13.7 rpg), Ron Howard (4.7 apg)
Canton leaders: Kyle Gibson (15.5 ppg), Michael Eric (8.0 rpg), Jorge Gutierrez (4.6 apg)
Key matchup: Howard, the team’s former leading scorer-turned point guard when Walker Russell Jr. was dealt to Reno, remains questionable with a knee injury suffered Friday in a loss at Bakersfield. Without Howard, Anthony Harris is carrying the point guard load. Harris had 12 assists in the Ants’ 113-106 loss to Los Angeles on Saturday. A cross-country trip on Sunday from L.A. to Canton could add to Harris’ wear and tear.
The skinny: Now that the euphoric eight-game winning streak ended Friday in Bakersfield, followed up by a loss to Los Angeles after the Ants held a 62-50 halftime lead, the question is how quickly the team can find its feet to prevent a slide backward. Like the Mad Ants, Canton has won eight of its last 10 games but is 2-2 over its last four. Tonight’s game also reunites JaJuan Johnson with his former team. Johnson, the former Purdue All-American, was traded to Canton, where he averages 7.0 points and 4.0 rebounds.
