Rotowire

Nets GC faced Pistons GT in the second series of Group 1’s pool play Tuesday night. With a 1-7 record in regular-season play, Pistons GT was the underdog to the surging 4-3 Nets. Game 1 was all Nets, as NGC went up 39-23 at halftime thanks to 17 points from point guard Choc. Pistons GT put up a fight to start the quarter and knocked the lead down to nine, but that was the closest the team would come. Nets GC closed the quarter on a big run and entered the fourth quarter up 58-39. Potts scored eight points in the quarter, while Choc contributed four. Pistons GT’s Ramo provided eight points and four rebounds of his own in the third, but Nets GC proved to be too much.

Pistons GT won the fourth quarter but only by one point and fell 76-58 in Game 1. Nets GC got contributions from most of its starters, as Choc led the way with 34 points, six assists and four steals. Potts scored 17, Chess went for 10 and Shuttles provided 15 rebounds and eight assists. The entire Pistons GT squad struggled, save for Ramo, who went for 22 points, 18 rebounds and three each of steals and blocks. Demon JT was next highest scorer with 13, though he got to that total on a dreadful 6-of-17 from the floor.
After an embarrassing loss in Game 1, Pistons GT completely turned the tables in Game 2 in a surprising turn of events. The team got off to a good start with a 42-33 halftime lead, but the lead ballooned after the break. A 22-6 third quarter propelled Pistons GT to a dominant 64-39 lead entering the fourth quarter, but the scoring barrage didn’t end there. Pistons GT won the final frame by a convincing 39-11 margin and took the massive 103-50 victory.

Demon JT took over in the fourth quarter, hitting three triples in a row at one point, as Pistons GT hit treys on five straight trips down the court. He finished the game with 52 points on just 31 shot attempts, including 6-of-8 from three. DevGoss added 25, while Ramo got a triple-double thanks to 10 points, 20 boards and 10 assists. For Nets GC, Choc once again led the team in scoring with 19 points, Potts scored 12 and Shuttles provided eight points and nine boards. Pistons GT held a strong advantage in shooting in Game 2, collectively shooting 67.7 percent from the floor while Nets GC shot just above 40 percent. Pistons GT won the turnover battle 14-4.

In a dichotomous series, the two teams split, and Pistons GT finishes its pool play with a 2-2 record. Nets GC faces 76ers GC in the late series, where the team will look to improve its 1-1 record.