Sendai bring five straight wins against Shimane

Why is Shimane vs Sendai worth watching?

Sendai 89Ers face Shimane Susanoo Magic on a run of five straight wins, while Shimane are still trying to steady an uneven start. That contrast in form frames round 10 of the Japanese B.League.

The game also brings together two of the league's top-rated players. Nick Kay ranks third in the league by TeamKeys Rating and Jarrett Culver ranks fourth, out of 183 rated players.

This is the first meeting of the two sides this season, so there is no earlier result to lean on. The current form lines will carry most of the story.

Shimane and Sendai: last results and form

Shimane come in 16th of 26 with a 4-5 record and a last five of W L L W L. Sendai sit seventh at 7-3 and have won all of their last five.

Shimane's recent results show how hard it has been to build momentum. They lost 97-78 at Chiba Jets, beat Kawasaki 80-69 at home, then lost 82-79 at Toyama on 24 October.

Sendai have been steadier and more convincing. They beat Kobe Storks 80-71 and Yokohama 91-72 at home, then won 93-82 at Kawasaki on 24 October.

How do Shimane and Sendai play?

Sendai have the better numbers at both ends: they score 88.3 points per game and allow 80.8. Shimane score 80.9 and allow 82.

Sendai's offensive rating of 115.1 ranks ninth of 26, and their defensive rating of 106.8 ranks tenth. Shimane rank 11th in offence at 108.9, but their defensive rating of 110.2 sits 17th.

Neither side plays at an extreme tempo. Sendai's pace of 75.9 ranks 13th in the league, while Shimane sit 18th at 74.5.

Nick Kay vs Jarrett Culver: players to watch

Nick Kay and Jarrett Culver are the players to watch, ranked third and fourth in the league by TeamKeys Rating. Their duel sets Kay's all-round work against Culver's scoring.

Kay averages 13.6 points, 9.4 rebounds and 3 assists for Shimane. His points in recent games read 8, 12 and 17, a sign he is finding the basket more often.

Culver leads Sendai with 27.3 points per game, plus 6.5 rebounds and 4.4 assists. He has scored 38, 20 and 20 in his recent outings.

Yuta Okada gives Shimane 17.1 points and 6.7 assists, with 20, 17 and 18 lately, while Jordan Heath adds 9.6 points and 7.3 rebounds. Sendai also have Jake Layman at 18.4 points and Sergio El Darwich at 14.6 points with 6 assists.

What can Shimane vs Sendai change in the B.League table?

For Shimane, the game is a chance to move from 16th towards a winning record. For Sendai, it is a test of whether their run of form can hold.

Shimane need a defence ranked 17th to slow an offence ranked ninth, with Culver the main threat. Kay's rebounding and Okada's passing will shape how many chances they create.

Sendai need to keep the efficiency that has carried them to 7-3. Containing Kay on the glass is the clearest task for their tenth-ranked defence.