Grizz Gaming Week Two Preview

Grizz Gaming Schedule

Thursday, April 18
Grizz Gaming vs. Lakers Gaming: 6 p.m. CT

Friday, April 19
Kings Guard Gaming vs. Grizz Gaming: 9 p.m. CT
Watch LIVE on YouTube and Twitch

 

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A Look Back

Grizz Gaming lost its first regular game of the season in the final seconds to Mavs Gaming by a score of 46-45. PeteBeBallin scored underneath the basket with 1.6 seconds left to lift the Mavs to victory. Grizz scored almost as many points (22) in the fourth quarter as it did the previous three (23) to erase a 12-point deficit.

 

NBA 2K League Standings

1. Bucks Gaming (2-0)
2. Nets GC (2-0)
3. Pacers Gaming (1-0)
4. Heat Check Gaming (1-0)
5. 76ers GC (1-0)
6. Hawks Talon GC (1-0)
7. Warriors Gaming Squad (1-0)
8. Cavs Legion GC (1-0)
9. Mavs Gaming (1-0)
10. Kings Guard Gaming (1-1)
11. T-Wolves Gaming (1-1)
12. Blazer5 Gaming (0-1)
13. Grizz Gaming (0-1)
14. Magic Gaming (0-1)
15. Pistons GT (0-1)
16. Celtics Crossover (0-1)
17. Lakers Gaming (0-1)
18. Wizards District Gaming (0-1)
19. Knicks Gaming (0-1)
20. Jazz Gaming (0-1)
21. Raptors Uprising GC (0-2)

 

GRIZZ BYTES

Over The Hump

Grizz Gaming has been in position to win in two of its three games overall thus far, holding all of the cards in the final seconds before letting the game slip away. To get over the hump this week, the team needs Vandi, who had nearly all of his 15 points in the fourth quarter last week, to continue his aggressive approach and for AuthenticAfrican to dominate the boards yet again.

Board Work

Despite last week’s loss, Grizz Gaming cleaned up on the boards to keep themselves in position to win, despite a poor shooting display. The team, led by AuthenticAfrican’s 17 rebounds, grabbed offensive rebound after offensive rebound and held a 29-12 advantage on the boards overall despite having fewer opportunities with Mavs Gaming shooting above 50 percent.

Final Frame

In each game this season, the fourth quarter has been the team’s most efficient offensively. Grizz has scored 58 points (19.3 ppg) in fourth quarters this season, with its lowest total of 17 having been achieved just once in the first three quarters of any game. If Grizz can muster some more firepower prior to the fourth quarter, it should translate to plenty of wins. In its three games across tournament and regular season play, the team averages just 9.6 points per quarter in the first three quarters.

Vandi’s World

“I just got aggressive (last week). I was really passive the first three quarters and I was on a cold ring for two quarters as well so it was kind of
tough for me to get in a rhythm. I used the matchup as well because he had five fouls, so he couldn’t reach on me. I just tried my best to score and I think I had about 13 in that fourth quarter. I’ve got to play like that. I’m not going to start off with the lock down on five fouls, so he’s going to reach. I’ve just got to stay aggressive, look for my shots and be aggressive for the team. If I’m not, we’re not going to win games.” – Vandi, Point Guard

 

OPPONENT PRIMER

LAKERS GAMING

Lakers Gaming is one of four expansion teams for the NBA 2K League’s second campaign. The team lost it’s first-ever regular season game 59-48 to T-Wolves Gaming after splitting its two group play games at THE TIPOFF. Despite its expansion status, Lakers Gaming only features one rookie on the roster (Kev). Last week, power forward Detoxys led the team with 19 points, eight boards, two assists, two steals and two blocks.

KINGS GUARD GAMING

Kings Guard Gaming split its Week One action after losing both games at THE TIPOFF, losing to Nets GC and bouncing back to beat Wizards District Gaming a couple of hours later. Led by point guard BP, featured in the key matchup below, Kings Guard retained center worthingcolt from last year’s team and he repaid them by averaging a double-double in Week One. The teams met once last season, with Kings Guard earning a 76-62 victory.

POTENTIAL MATCHUPS TO WATCH

Jayrod vs. Kev

After a tough display from three-point range as a team last week (2-17 3P), Grizz will need long range threat Jayrod at his best Thursday to help rebound from last weekend’s performance. He’ll match up with Kev, also a second round pick in this year’s draft, who is shooting above 50 percent from three-point range this season.

Vandi vs. BP

After struggling through his first couple of appearances, Vandi snapped out and dominated the fourth quarter against Mavs Gaming. He’ll need to keep his play at that level against Kings Guard’s first round pick BP. The fellow rookie averaged 24.5 points and 8.0 assists over his two Week One appearances.