Grizz Gaming follows up huge win with familiar foe
June 21, 2018
After winning one of the most entertaining games throughout the league all season, Grizz Gaming will gear up for a match with its first-ever opponent, Celtics Crossover Gaming, in Week 6 action.
In the initial meeting, Grizz Gaming’s first of ‘THE TIPOFF’, Celtics Crossover used a 30-point third quarter and monster performances by oFAB (14 points, 23 assists) and ARSONAL x (30 points, 16 rebounds) to secure a 12-point victory.
After his 23-assist fusillade in the first meeting, stopping oFAB (Albano Thomallari) is the key to a second straight Grizz Gaming victory.
“(We have to) do our best to stay in front of him,” said Grizz Gaming General Manager Lang Whitaker. “It’s hard because he’s great at getting into the paint and finding guys. ARSONAL x (Devon Peek) has been a big performer for them as well. It’s a real 1-2 punch we have to try and stop. But oFAB, he’s one of the best point guards in the 2K League and we have to try and slow them down.”
His performance against Grizz Gaming was no fluke either, as oFAB leads the 2K League in assists per game (17.8), nearly five assists more per game than any other player, and scores at a clip of 17.0 points per game. ARSONAL x is second in the league in rebounding (11.4 rpg) and averages 21.9 points per game, making him the only 2K League player averaging 20 points and 10 rebounds entering Week 6.
Grizz Gaming is coming off arguably its best and definitely its gutsiest performance of the season after beating Warriors Gaming Squad in Week 5. Memphis’ squad led 17-2 early before trailing by 10 with 3:50 to play. However, the comeback was on and DDouble2K (Daniel Davis) hit a clutch jumper from the elbow with 1.9 seconds remaining to give Grizz Gaming the win.
“To me, the best part about that game was the way every person contributed,” said Whitaker. “All five guys were in double figures, every player made big shots down the stretch, everyone made big plays. We were down 10 with 3:50 to play and everyone was still certain we had a shot at it. Nobody was out and I thought that was the best part about that. We were all on the same page and ready to go and it was a total team effort.”
In order to keep the momentum going into the second half of the regular season, Grizz Gaming will need to find a way to stop the 1-2 punch of oFAB and ARSONAL x. Fans can live stream the game at twitch.com/nba2kleague on Saturday, June 23 at 11 a.m. CT.
Catching up with @langwhitaker to get this thoughts on this Saturday's game against @CLTXGaming.
🗣️🗣️ pic.twitter.com/DpfEBn5ODK
— Grizz Gaming (@GrizzGaming) June 21, 2018
Watch the full highlights of our exciting last second win against @WarriorsGaming this weekend! #PressStart pic.twitter.com/8vORlJDtAL
— Grizz Gaming (@GrizzGaming) June 18, 2018