Grizz Gaming Week One Preview
April 12, 2019
Grizz Gaming Schedule
Friday, April 12
Mavs Gaming vs. Grizz Gaming: 5 p.m. CT
Watch LIVE on YouTube and Twitch
A Look Back – THE TIPOFF
T-Wolves Gaming took the first game with a huge offensive display, shooting 9-of-13 from three-point range and earning the 53-39 victory. Grizz Gaming was unable to overcome a slow start after falling behind 21-6 in the second quarter. Grizz struggled from the field early in the game, shooting 3-of-11 overall and 0-of-5 from beyond the arc in the opening frame, but played well enough defensively to keep the game within range at 12-6. Jayrod found his groove from long range, knocking down a pair of threes at the end of the half to keep Grizz Gaming within 28-16. T-Wolves extended the lead to 39-22 at the end of the third, but Grizz started the fourth on an 8-0 run to cut the lead to nine before T-Wolves kept a double-digit lead for the remainder of the game. AuthenticAfrican led the Grizz effort with 15 points and eight rebounds. Vandi was productive with seven points, nine assists and three steals. Jayrod added 11 points. Hood led T-Wolves with 15 points. BearDaBeast (3-4 3P) added 13 points and five assists. Dr JoJo 30 (11 points) knocked down 5-of-6 field goal attempts.
The second game was much closer, with Wizards District Gaming winning 62-60 at the buzzer. Wizards District led 29-24 at halftime, however, Grizz Gaming pulled in front with a 17-8 advantage in the third quarter after a 9-0 run to start the half. Grizz held a late five-point lead before a couple of missed free throws opened the window for the Wizards. Trailing 60-58, Demon JT tied the game up with a jumper with 3.8 seconds remaining. Wizards District then stole the ball on the ensuing Grizz possession and managed to call timeout to advance the ball while taking just 0.4 seconds on the clock. USERPICK hit the layup as time expired. Jayrod led Grizz with 19 points, shooting 5-of-10 from three-point range. UniversalPhenom posted a double-double of 13 points and 10 rebounds. Dayfri finished one rebound shy of a double double for Wizards District, scoring 21 points on 10-of-14 shooting to go with nine rebounds
GRIZZ BYTES
Long Range
The game beyond the three-point line was a major factor last week. In the team’s loss to T-Wolves they allowed 9-of-13 and Grizz made its runs, albeit small, when Jayrod found his groove. In the next game, Grizz were a tad shy of 50 percent and in position to win late, with Jayrod hitting 5-of-10 attempts. Memphis’ team will need to win the long range battle to have good shot at victory.
Repeating History?
Grizz Gaming sits in familiar territory after going winless at THE TIPOFF last season as well. The team went on to silence its critics and open the regular season with a win against Pacers Gaming. After a similar start, the team will look to produce the same result against Mavs Gaming this week.
Dandi Vandi
First round pick and point guard Vandi will look to build on his opening performance in Week One. The Ohio native dished 8.5 assists per game and shot 7-of-13 from the field to help lead the Grizz attack. The rookie also grabbed three steals in his first NBA 2K League game.
Authentic’s World
“What we need to do, I feel, is communicate a little bit more. We also need to trust each other a little bit more. I think we started off on the wrong foot in the first game, but the second game we played really well. We just had a few mental lapses in the fourth quarter that we worked on and that I don’t think will happen again. I think we’re ready this week.” – AuthenticAfrican
OPPONENT PRIMER — MAVS GAMING
Mavs Gaming split its action at last weekend’s THE TIPOFF and, similar to Grizz Gaming, improved over the course of the action. Mavs suffered a 21-point loss at the hands of Raptors Uprising in the tournament’s first game before defeating Cavs Legion GC by 10. Last year’s first overall pick, Dimez, led the team in scoring and assists on both occasions. This year’s first round pick, PeteBeBallin, was one rebound shy of recording a double-double in both outings. The teams met twice last season, with Grizz Gaming getting late-season revenge after a blowout loss in last year’s THE TIPOFF.
POTENTIAL MATCHUPS TO WATCH
Vandi vs. Dimez
Grizz Gaming’s first round pick this year against last year’s number one overall pick. Another test for the Grizz rookie, however, it’s not likely either point guard will be matched up with each other. Look for both teams to put a lockdown wing defender on the point guard. Whichever floor general is the most effective might be the key to victory. Dimez was the main contributor for Mavs last week while Vandi averaged 8.5 assists in his two games at THE TIPOFF.