NetsGC Takes Down Defending Champs in 1-1 Week
July 6, 2020
NetsGC took down the defending NBA 2K League champions, T-Wolves Gaming, as as part of a split week eight, where they earlier to Cavs Legion GC in a tightly-contested series.
In fact, both series went three games for Brooklyn this week – only the second and third time the team has gone to a winner-takes-all match this season. The first series of week eight tipped off on Monday night against Cavs Legion GC.
Game one started well for Brooklyn. Choc, on the rarely used midrange specialist archetype, opened the proceedings with a well-timed pass to Potts in the corner just as All Hail Trey rotated off his man for an open 3-pointer. Cavs Legion responded with a 12-4 run to take an early lead, but NetsGC went on a 7-0 run of its own to close the quarter with a 14-12 lead.
Strainer did well to keep Cleveland in the game, scoring 19 in the first half on 9-for-17 shooting, but a late Choc 3-pointer in the second quarter helped NetsGC keep its lead heading into the break, 29-27.
New build, still GREEN 🟢
We’re up 29-27 at the half 💪
📲 » https://t.co/Y7T5rJfjk5 pic.twitter.com/tK2O9CRVTt
— Brooklyn NetsGC (@NetsGamingCrew) June 29, 2020
Brooklyn was able to maintain its lead through most of the third quarter, but a series of miscues, including turnovers and a defensive three-second violation, helped Cavs Legion get back into the game. A Choc 3-pointer and open midrange shot, both green, stopped the bleeding with under a minute to go, and a slick inbound play ending in a Chess bucket with only a few seconds on the clock gave Brooklyn a 47-44 lead heading into the final frame.
NetsGC extended its lead through Shuttles who did some nice rim running to get open baskets. Cleveland threatened the Brooklyn lead, getting to within two points with a couple of minutes to go in the game, but NetsGC struck back immediately through stingy defense to secure a 69-63 win.
Game two was better early for Cavs Legion, as Strainer scored 13 of the team’s first 15 points en route to a lead. Cleveland was able to ride the point guard’s scoring touch throughout the half, heading into the break with a 36-27 lead with Strainer scoring 23.
NetsGC was able to cut into the deficit a couple of times, first getting to within six points early in the second half before a Cavs Legion 10-0 run restored Cleveland’s sizeable advantage. Brooklyn’s best shot at stealing the win came late in the fourth quarter when it was down 64-55 with under two minutes remaining. A quick six points cut the lead to just three, but on Cavs Legion’s next possession, a missed shot rebounded hard away from the basket, and with oLarry in the right place at the right time to grab the board, helped seal a 67-63 Cleveland win.
In game three it was Doza who provided the offensive spark for Cavs Legion. The small forward put up arguably his best 12-minute stretch of the season in the first half of the series-decider, dropping 20 points on 8-for-11 shooting, including 4-for-6 from deep.
It was enough to give Cleveland a 10-point advantage at the end of the opening half. The Cavs, which boast the third-best scoring defense in the league, gave NetsGC a tough time on offense as Cleveland expanded its lead as the second half went on. Despite a 4-for-4 shooting effort from deep out by Chess, Brooklyn was unable to threaten Cavs Legion’s lead, eventually falling 68-56 in the decisive game three.
On Thursday, the trio of Choc, Chess and Randomz – back from a one-series suspension and on a two-way finisher build at shooting guard – helped propel NetsGC to a solid first half in the series opener against T-Wolves Gaming with 12, 9 and 11 points respectively. It was part of a high-octane 12 minutes, ending with Brooklyn up 36-35 at the break.
🤚 @Shuttles SAID NO 🤚
🔨 @choc SLAMS IT HOME 🔨 pic.twitter.com/UtKHjIYiti
— Brooklyn NetsGC (@NetsGamingCrew) July 2, 2020
The second half was a slower burn, with both teams trading empty possessions until Chess knocked down a 3-pointer from the right hashmark with 4:30 left in the third quarter. A number of miscues throughout the frame, however, allowed Minnesota to take a 54-48 lead off of turnovers and transition points.
NetsGC came storming back in the fourth quarter, eventually taking the lead at 62-60, sparked by an offensive sequence from Shuttles who grabbed three consecutive offensive rebounds and finally scored a putback plus a foul.
T-Wolves Gaming was able to take back its lead, and was up 70-68 with seconds left in the game. A turnover led to a NetsGC fastbreak with time ticking down, but Chess was unable to convert a tough layup as the clock expired, giving Minnesota the win.
The first half of game two was even better for Brooklyn than in game one. Choc’s playmaking prowess was on full display, dropping 11 assists in just a 12-minute stretch that also saw Randomz score 14 points and Shuttles tack on another 8. NetsGC rode the ball movement to a 36-29 halftime lead.
The point guard even got in on the defensive action, stripping JMoney of the ball early in the third quarter helping to set up a Randomz and-one opportunity to give Brooklyn a 42-29 lead. NetsGC kept the momentum up throughout the frame to enter the fourth quarter with an 11-point lead. Minnesota failed to threaten the advantage in the final six minutes, and NetsGC cruised to a 77-65 win, led by Randomz’s 31 points, a season-high. Choc ended the game with 17 assists, also a season-high.
Both teams started slower in game three, mostly due to poor shooting – T-Wolves Gaming shot 10-for-22 in the first half while NetsGC shot 12-for-25. Choc led the way for the latter in the opening 12 minutes with 17 points and Shuttles chipped in 12 rebounds as the two sides were deadlocked 29-all at halftime.
NetsGC separated itself in the third quarter with tough defense and a number of fastbreak points off of turnovers. Minnesota could only muster seven points in the quarter while Brooklyn feasted off of transition baskets to build a 51-36 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
It was a lead Brooklyn would not relinquish. Choc and Randomz each scored 30 points, the former securing the double-double with 12 assists, while Shuttles grabbed 24 rebounds in a 78-58 win for a series victory over the defending champions, improving NetsGC’s record to 5-4.
“I’m proud of the way our guys came together and finished the week with a W,” said NetsGC Assistant General Manager Wael Ankouni. “Our win over Minnesota was a total team effort and we’re already focused on Milwaukee on Tuesday.”
Brooklyn will next take on 5-4 Bucks Gaming on Tuesday, July 7 at 9 p.m. ET before closing out week nine against 4-6 Pacers Gaming the next night at 9 p.m. Both games will be broadcasted on the league’s Twitch and YouTube channels, with the latter aired on ESPN 2.