Portales basketball preview capsules

Boys

Robertson (5-8) at Portales (7-4)

7 p.m., Rams Athletic Center

Last time out: The Cardinals beat Penasco back on Tuesday, 93-83. The Rams fell to Goddard in overtime, 74-65, also on Tuesday night.

Last meeting: The Rams last played Robertson in 2016, with the Cardinals taking down the Rams, 65-53, in the quarterfinal of the 4A state tournament.

Notes: Portales is fresh off of a Wildcat Classic championship last weekend in Littlefield, Texas — the first in school history. The Rams, however, were unable to carry that momentum into Goddard on Tuesday, after an overtime loss. Portales has lost each of its last two meetings with Robertson (both in the 2015-16 season) and have not beaten the Cardinals since Jan. 10, 2015, when the Rams won, 59-50, in the St. Mike’s Shootout in Santa Fe. Prior to the Goddard loss, Portales had not allowed more than 63 points in a game since Dec. 19. Robertson has now won four of five, following a 1-7 start. The Cardinals are averaging 65.6 points per game during that stretch, up from the 49.9 points per game they averaged in their first eight contests. The two squads will meet again next Friday, in Portales.

Girls

Portales (12-2) at Lovington (4-9)

7 p.m., Lovington High School

Last time out: Portales routed Artesia on Tuesday, 67-36. Lovington lost to Hirschi in the Hobbs Holiday Tournament last Saturday, 51-39.

Last meeting: The Rams beat Lovington last Jan. 13, 47-43, in Portales.

Notes: Portales swept the season series with Lovington a year ago, after defeating the Wildcats in the Santa Fe Tournament, 42-36, in Dec. 2016, followed by the aforementioned home win just over a month later. The Rams have won three-in-a-row, following the first round loss to Stratford (Texas) in the Littlefield Wildcat Classic back on Dec. 28. Portales has allowed just 98 points (32.7 per game) over its last three games. In comparison, the Rams had allowed 71 against Stratford, alone. Lovington, meanwhile, has lost eight of its last 10 games, dating back to Dec. 1. Its only wins during that stretch were against Ruidoso on Dec. 8 (60-21) and Taos on Dec. 29 (62-43). The Wildcats are averaging just 38.1 points per game during that stretch. Portales, meanwhile, is averaging 58.9 points per game for the season, meaning that Lovington will need some serious offense to keep pace Friday night.