Grizz Gaming falls in consecutive games to Pacers Gaming

Memphis, Tenn. — Grizz Gaming, the NBA 2K League affiliate of the Memphis Grizzlies, dropped a pair of games to Pacers Gaming Friday night. The Grizz were unable to contain the Pacers’ high-powered offense, which anchored by the NBA 2K League leading scorer, 630 (Xavier Barraza). Grizz Gaming currently sits in the seventh spot of the playoff standings.

Grizz Gaming got behind early in Game 1 as 630 (Xavier Barraza) scored 17 points in the first quarter alone. Vandi (Zach Vandivier) scored 13 points in the opening period, but it was not enough for lead, as Memphis trailed 23-15 after one quarter of play. Both teams traded baskets in the second quarter before Indiana’s squad settled for a 45-35 lead heading into the halftime break. The Pacers’ hot night from the 3-point line would prove to be the difference maker down the stretch. Pacers gaming finished 17-of-25 from 3-point range (68 percent) while limiting the Grizz to 8-of-17 (47.1 percent) from behind the arc. Pacers gaming controlled the fourth quarter 22-14 before capping off the 87-65 victory in the opening game. Despite the loss, Vandi posted a double-double with 22 points and 10 assists. AuthenticAfrican (Mehyar Ahmed-Hassan) continued his stellar season with 25 points and nine rebounds on 12-of-14 shooting. The Pacers got a monster game from 630 (Xavier Barraza), who finished with 44 points and seven assists while knocking down eight 3-pointers.

Game 2 was a struggle on the offensive end for Grizz Gaming. Memphis’ squad trailed by just three points after one quarter of play, however, they mustered just nine points in the second quarter, leading to a 24-34 halftime deficit. The Grizz cut down on their turnovers in Game 2, but Memphis got out-shot by Pacers Gaming 51.1 percent to 60.4 percent from the field in the 59-74 loss. Vandi was limited to 6-of-16 shooting for 15 points, six assists and three rebounds. Chess (Kory Taylor) tallied 15 points, four assists and one steal. 630 (Xavier Barraza) notched 35 points, six assists and two rebounds on 13-of-25 shooting in the Game 2 victory. Jomar (Jomar Varela-Escapa) added 10 points and eight rebounds and shot a perfect 5-of-5 from the field.

Grizz Gaming (12-8) returns to the court tomorrow, July 31, at 8 p.m. vs. the Gen.G Tigers of Shanghai (9-9). 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.