Vipers look to end home stand with a victory

HIDALGO - The Vipers are seven games into the 50-game NBA Development League season, and it's difficult even for their coach to get a gauge on their identity. In fact, it can be argued the only consistent thing about them has been their inconsistency.

As such, every game brings an element of surprise, such as their 5 p.m. tip off today against the Albuquerque Thunderbirds at Dodge Arena.

Today's game marks the end of a season-opening eight-game home stand during which the Vipers (3-4) have defeated the league's defending champion but also been outscored 227-150 in third quarters (an average of 11.0 points per third quarter). Moser said the team has harped on its third-quarter difficulties, but it's obvious a solution has yet to be found and been a major factor in RGV losing four of its last five.

"We've got an identity that we don't finish games, and we've got an identity where we have huge third quarter collapses," Moser said.

While the Vipers have struggled recently, the Thunderbirds (1-4 entering Saturday's game at Austin) are also still finding their way. Aside from a 102-93 win against Tulsa on Dec. 5, not much has gone right for Albuquerque.

Despite his team's difficulties, Thunderbirds guard Will Conroy is the D-League's third-leading scorer at 25.4 points per game, ranks fourth at 7.4 assists per game. The individual matchup between Conroy and the Vipers' Smush Parker, who is second in assists with 8.4 per game, should catch everyone's attention today.

Parker (20.9 points per game) might have to shoulder more of the scoring load if center Alton Ford (leg) can't go. Ford is questionable after going down late in Thursday's game against Sioux Falls. RGV hopes to have power forward Kendall Dartez back in the lineup after he sat out Thursday with a leg injury.

Although it's still early, a sense of some urgency is necessary as starting 3-5 at home was not the Vipers' plan for the start of the season. Coming off another home loss isn't the way the Vipers want to begin a four-game road trip that begins Tuesday in Colorado.

"We've got to come out like our hair's on fire and sustaining it," Moser said. "I don't know if you can say it's a must game eight games into it with 42 left, but we've put ourselves in a situation where we've got to start racking up some wins here.

"Our identity at the moment, and this is a quote, is schizophrenic."

IN THE BONUS: In addition to Conroy, who has played in the NBA for the Los Angeles Clippers and Memphis Grizzlies, the T-Birds also boast forward David Noel, who played in 68 games for the Milwaukee Bucks in 2006-07, and Keith McLeod, who has logged 200 NBA games. ... The Vipers will leave Monday morning for Colorado. ... Vipers guard Alpha Bangura has a streak of three straight games of scoring at least 20 points off the bench. ... Parker has three consecutive double-doubles (reaching double figures in points and assists). ... Any fan who brings a toy to today's game will receive a free ticket to the contest as part of the organization's partnership with the McAllen Police Department's Christmas for Kids program.

Todd Mavreles covers the Rio Grande Valley Vipers for Valley Freedom Newspapers. You can reach him at (956) 683-4451.