Grizz Gaming earns split with Gen.G Tigers of Shanghai

Memphis, Tenn. — Grizz Gaming, the NBA 2K League affiliate of the Memphis Grizzlies, split a pair of games against the Gen.G Tigers of Shanghai Saturday night. Following the victory in Game 2, Grizz Gaming moves into a tie for the eighth spot in the NBA 2K League playoff standings. The NBA 2K League Playoffs, which will feature 12 teams for the first time in league history, tip-off on Aug. 28, 2021.

Grizz Gaming fell behind early in Game 1 following a dunk from Sawc (Sawc Tauala Jr.) that stretched the Tigers’ lead to 22-15 with 22.7 seconds remaining in the first. Gen.G put the game out of reach in a second quarter in which they out-scored Grizz Gaming 29-12, extending their lead to 51-29 heading into the halftime break. Grizz Gaming’ put together their best two offensive quarters in the second half, but it was not enough to overcome the first-half hole. Gen.G. presented a well-balanced scoring attack with four of their five players scoring at least 15 points. JMoney (Jordan Martinez) led the Tigers with 22 points, 19 assists and one rebound and 7-of-15 shooting. Sawc posted a double-double of his own with 19 points and 13 rebounds while shooting 9-of-13 from the field. Spartxn (Josh McHatten) put together one of his best games of the season for Grizz Gaming in the Game 1 loss. The Wisconsin native posted 24 points (9-10 FG), two rebounds and one assist while shooting a perfect 5-of-5 from 3-point range. Chess (Kory Taylor) added 18 points, four assists and one rebound.

Grizz Gaming did a much better job valuing each possession in Game 2. In Game 1 they lost the turnover battle 12-7, however, the Grizz turned the ball over just two times while forcing seven turnovers from the Tigers in Game 2. The turnover differential proved to be a difference maker with Grizz Gaming attempting 47 field goals, compared to just 39 for Gen.G. Grizz Gaming led 55-54 after three quarters of action before capping off a 71-65 victory to earn a split of the series. Vandi put together a massive performance with 36 points, seven assists and just one turnover while shooting 13-of-19 from the floor. Chess added 19 points and two steals while AuthenticAfrican (Mehyar Ahmed-Hassan) pitched in eight points and 12 rebounds. Despite the loss, JMoney put together 34 points, seven assists and one rebound for Gen.G.

Grizz Gaming (13-9) returns to the court vs. Magic Gaming (10-12) this Wednesday, Aug. 4, at 6 p.m. All regular season games will air live on the NBA 2K League’s Twitch and YouTube channels. To view the Grizz Gaming game exclusively, enter the ‘Command Center’ on the league’s Twitch channel.

Fans can follow the team on Twitch at twitch.tv/grizzgaming, @grizzgaming on Twitter and Instagram, as well as GrizzliesGaming on Facebook to follow along with the team’s 2021 season.