- WEEK 14 RECAP -
A late start greeted the teams of the ETBL this final Sunday of the regular season. Lightning was captured in a bottle at The Durham Playground as the entire facility felt as though it was full of the same energy brought by teams since week 1 of the season. Every way you looked there were teams competing for playoff spots, managers studying their teams closely looking for any advantages come the postseason...and players giving it their all knowing it was their last game of the season. We will highlight a couple games from Sunday and then prepare for the prediction blog.
THUNDER VS KNICKS: The Thunder looked to continue their absurd 6-game win streak against the always exciting Knicks this evening. The Thunder carried confidence with them early opening the scoring with a 14 - 2 run but an early timeout (5 minutes in) for the Knicks allowed the boys in orange to regroup and bounce back...closing out the first half 29 - 24 for the Thunder. The Knicks, Ryan Jayasinghe, was commanding his squad’s offense through the 2nd half with a team leading 14 points when an ankle injury took him out of the game leaving the Knicks to keep pace with the dangerous Janath Kumar and the Thunder without him. Zachary Vidal-Henry reminded the ETBL that it isn’t just Ryan that they should be worried about as he threw down a huge putback slam with less than 5 minutes to go in the game. The Thunder looked to have this one but two turnovers and two missed FTs allowed the Knicks to close the gap at 58 all and send it to OT. An intensity that I haven’t seen before in either team took hold as a crowd gathered around the court for the 2 minute OT. It was a nail-biter, both teams put up 2 points in the extra frame and no more after resulting in each team continuing their ‘unbeaten streaks’ heading into the playoffs. Hopefully Ryan isn't out too long and we wish him the best in his recovery!
Final Score: Thunder 60 - Knicks 60 Player of the Game - ZACHARY VIDAL-HENRY 14pts/8rebs/4asts/2stls - 54.5% Shooting - 2 Triples
ROCKETS VS KINGS: The Rockets were coming into this game still sporting the best defense of the league and it was expected that that trend would continue but the Kings had something to say. Though each team was committing their fair share of fouls (9 fouls combined through 10 minutes) it was really the effort and passion of the game that was the culprit. An amazing pace was carried by the Kings, cutting through the well-known Rockets defense with seemingly little effort. However, the Rockets’ consistent scoring and solid playmaking by Roshane Roberts that had his squad up 9 at the half. This didn’t seem to discourage the Kings as Duzan Indrasithu willed him and the team to get this one close. The game got chippy late and it was clear each team really wanted this W. The 7-point advantage held by the Rockets in the running-clock minutes of the 2nd half squashed the Kings’ chance of climbing back into this one.
Final Score: Rockets 60 - Kings 60 Player of the Game - VENUSH SRI 7pts/6rebs/2asts/3stls - 50% Shooting
ROCKETS VS BLAZERS: The Rockets destroyed the Blazers in a very sloppy turnover filled game. Definitely looked like a pick up game to say the least. Venush looked like he was out for blood and pretty much singlehandedly demolished Krishan and company. One of the most impresive stat lines you will see all season by a player.
Final Score: Rockets 78 - Blazers 33 Player of the Game - VENUSH SRI 19pts/7rebs/4asts/5stls/1blk/0to - 100% Shooting
JAZZ VS SUNS: The Jazz squeak one out but credit the Suns for battling all game. Andre, Tristan and Jovan all dropped at least 22 points and were all key to winning this game. Tevon was great for the Suns with a game high 20 rebounds! Both teams will make the postseason and we shall see if they can make any noise.
Final Score: Jazz 79 - Suns 75 Player of the Game - ANDRE ANDERSON 22pts/2rebs/1asts/1stl/1to - 60% Shooting - 3 Triples
HEAT VS HORNETS: The Hornets forfeited their last game as they dealt with covid issues on the team.
Final Score: Heat 25 - Hornets 0 Player of the Game - The camera man for the Heat who did not have to do any work in this one
WOLVES VS WARRIORS: Win or go home. The Wolves wanted to win and make the playoffs and they did just that on the backs of Michael Mines and Angelo! They combined for 45 points and pulled off the victory and we shall see them in the playoffs.
Final Score: Wolves 62 - Warriors 53 Player of the Game - MICHAEL MINES 22pts/8rebs/4asts/1to - 55.5% Shooting
PISTONS VS BUCKS: Bucks Forfeited.
Final Score: Pistons 25 - Bucks 0 Player of the Game - SHAUN LAWSON who is still managing the team while injured
BULLS VS BOBCATS: Bobcats lose! So much for that +45 point prediction by the ETBL staff lol. Davion and Tes were incredible dropping 25 a piece and stunning the Bobcats. Even with Christian missing this was an impressive victory and the Bulls are now heading into the playoffs with some big time momentum.
Final Score: Bulls 74 - Bobcats 66 Player of the Game - DAVION PARNSALU 25pts/10rebs/9asts/3stls/1to - 56% Shooting - 2 Triples