Grizz Gaming fails to qualify for playoff round in ‘The Tipoff’

Grizz Gaming dropped its final three matchups in pool play of the NBA 2K League’s ‘THE TIPOFF’ Friday, falling to 0-4 in Group D. The team dropped a 66-63 nailbiter to open the day against Heat Check Gaming before losses against Pacers Gaming (69-45) and Mavs Gaming (92-51).

The first matchup with Heat Check Gaming had plenty more drama than last night’s loss. After a fast Grizz Gaming start, Heat Check responded with a 12-2 run to close the first quarter and would control a slim lead for nearly the rest of the game.

In his Grizz Gaming debut, Larell Mitchell (Winner_Stayz_On) missed a three-point attempt to tie it at the buzzer, but still managed an efficient 15-point outing (5-8 FG). Mehyar Ahmed-Hassan (AuthenticAfrican) had another monster game, leading the team with 20 points (10-19 FG) along with a game-high 16 boards and seven assists. Antonio Saldivar (UniversalPhenom) added 16 points on 7-of-9 shooting and five rebounds.

Juan Gonzalez (Hotshot) led all scorers with 21 points (10-15 FG) and also finished with six assists, five rebounds, four blocks and three steals. Stanley LeBron (Majes7ic) posted a double-double for Heat Check (19 points, 12 assists) and splashed in 3-of-4 three-point attempts. Basil Rose (24k Dropoff) added 18 points (8-10 FG) with seven rebounds and four assists.

After a 6-6 tie, an early 23-0 run by Pacers Gaming put the team’s second game of the day out of reach early. Bryant Colon (Wolf) was primarily to blame as he finished with 30 points on 13-of-21 shooting, including 22 points by halftime. Daniel Davis (DDouble2K) led Grizz Gaming with 15 points (6-7 FG, 3-4 3P). Grizz Gaming simply couldn’t buy a bucket in the first half, shooting 5-of-16 as a team.

Another slow start doomed Grizz Gaming in the final game of the day, with Mavs Gaming opening the game on a 13-2 run and holding a 26-7 lead after the opening period.

Grizz Gaming begins regular season play next Saturday, May 12 with another tilt against Pacers Gaming at 10 a.m. CT inside the NBA 2K League Studio Powered by Intel in New York City.