By Kristian Cuaresma

 

It took two games of group play in THE SWITCH for NetsGC to tie their win total from the prior 3v3 tournament. While Grizz Gaming is 0-2 and at the bottom of the group standings, a NetsGC win would officially mark a clean sweep of their opponents in week one. More importantly, this would make Brooklyn 3-0 and firmly place the team in the driver’s seat for one of the two available bracket round spots.

The turnaround has been built on weaponizing the defensive chemistry between the pick-and-roll duo of Steez and Streetz. The Brooklyn roommates have a special chemistry that visibility translates onto the virtual court. They are guaranteed to get the required stops needed to win a series, simplifying the game plan for the team. However, the key to making it all work is an unflappable scoring guard, and NetsGC now has that in Jyden. The former member of Cavs Legion GC has been impressive and set a career-high in points during last night’s victory over Green Beanz.

Grizz Gaming Expected Lineup 

Guard: BP

Forward: JMoney

Forward: JRod

 

Players to Watch

BP – 11.1 points, 3.5 assists, 0.8 turnovers, 73% field goal, 65% three-point

It was not that long ago when the explosive point guard was seriously contemplating retirement. However, BP has found a new home in Memphis, where he is expected to carry over his knowledge and experience of 3v3 to the professional stage. During THE SLAM, BP lived up to his billing as he led Grizz Gaming on a memorable run. While Grizz Gaming would fall to the eventual champions in the semifinals, they were confident in their outlook as long as BP led the way. Memphis understands its best chance of winning is putting the ball in BP’s hands and it has resulted in a barrage of points. Dating back to Grizz Gaming’s series against Wizards DG in THE SLAM, BP has now scored at least 11 points in 12 consecutive games.

Jrod – 3.9 points, 1.7 rebounds, 0.6 assists, 82% field goal, 73% three-point

Draft night was not kind to Jrod, as analysts outside the Grizz Gaming organization questioned or criticized the decision to select him. Outside of a slow start to the season, Jrod has played at a respectable rate in 5v5 and has flourished in 3v3. He is currently shooting 73 percent from deep on nearly 40 shots and is an important reason why Grizz Gaming is one of the best shooting teams in 3v3. Neither he nor JMoney get many looks in this offense, but when they let it fly, they are incredibly efficient.

Storylines

As teams entered THE SWITCH, , there was not any talk of NetsGC, Grizz Gaming, Hawks Talon GC, and Green Beanz being a candidate for the “Group of Death”. The ignorance was justified, with NetsGC failing to make bracket play in THE SWITCH, and Green Beanz being an unknown. With only two bracket round spots available, most fans assumed it would go to Memphis and Atlanta considering the deep run they previously went on. However, after two games, there might be cause for pause, or at the very least, a reevaluation of what this group’s potential is.

A NetsGC win would put them at 3-0 and make the team heavy favorites to return to Indy barring an epic collapse. In this scenario, Grizz Gaming would go 0-3 and would likely require them to win out and get a little bit of help from their group rivals. In a six-game group schedule, teams are approaching the halfway mark, ensuring that tonight’s matchup will have a playoff vibe to it. Both Brooklyn and Memphis are desperate to get a win for different reasons, and it will be obvious the moment the game begins.