66ers head to Showcase without Dowdell

As reported here last week, Tulsa point guard Zabian Dowdell missed Friday night's game against Fort Wayne due to being in Phoenix to try out for the Suns. Apparently, they liked what they saw.

The Suns signed guard Dowdell for the first GATORADE Call-Up of the 2010-11 NBA Development League season.

“Zabian has really committed to getting better each and every day during his time in Tulsa and has been a great leader on the floor for our team,” 66ers head coach Nate Tibbetts said. “I am happy to see that his hard work has given him an opportunity to play at the next level and we all wish him great success.”

Dowdell started all of Tulsa’s first 18 games this season, leading the team to a Western Conference-best 12-6 record. He averaged team highs in points (14.5), assists (4.6) and steals (2.4) in 29.3 minutes per game. His steals average currently ranks second in the league, and he's one of only two players all season to have six steals in two separate games.

The 66ers (now 14-6) will carry a six-game winning streak into the 2011 D-League Showcase held this week in South Padre Island, Texas. Tulsa’s first of two games at the Showcase is scheduled for Monday, Jan. 10 against the Sioux Falls Skyforce (2-14) at 11 a.m. (CT), followed by a matchup with the Dakota Wizards (5-14) on Wednesday, Jan. 12 at 4:15 p.m. Both games will be played inside the South Padre Island Convention Center.

Tulsa will be the home team on Monday and the visiting team on Wednesday. Both games will be televised by NBA TV and can be heard in Tulsa on KAKC 1300 AM.

The 66ers are coming off of a 96-95 overtime win against the Texas Legends on Saturday evening to earn their 11th win in the last 13 games.

Tulsa is 1-0 against Sioux Falls this season, as the 66ers topped the Skyforce on the road 120-102 on Dec. 10. The 66ers own a 9-7 all-time record against the Skyforce. Wednesday’s game will mark the first matchup between Dakota and Tulsa this season. The 66ers are 6-5 all-time against the Wizards.