Rotowire

Mavs Gaming squared off against Warriors Gaming Squad on Thursday in a clash of 2K League heavyweights. Warriors GS entered the game as one of only four teams with one or fewer losses in the league, but Mavs Gaming gave them all they could handle.
Game 1 was back and forth for the entire first half, as Mavs Gaming took a tight 29-27 lead into the break. A big third quarter pushed the lead to seven heading into the final frame, though Warriors GS made things very uncomfortable for Mavs Gaming down the stretch. The fourth quarter saw both teams trade baskets, though Warriors GS made some plays and cut the lead to one possession late. Down 59-56 with just under a minute to play, Warriors GS couldn’t get off a triple, but Charlie got into the paint to hit a short turnaround jumper with 34 seconds remaining to cut the lead to just one point. On the ensuing possession, Sherm came up with a big-time driving layup to extend the lead to 61-58. Warriors GS hit a quick dunk just a few seconds later to again get within one. Warriors GS knocked the ball away on Mavs Gaming’s next inbounds, but Dimez came away with it in the scrum. The next inbounds pass was delivered safely, and Mavs Gaming dribbled it out to clinch the narrow victory and take Game 1. Sherm led the way for Mavs Gaming in the win, going for a game-high 28 points along with five assists and four steals. CB13 did his part for Warriors Gaming with 25 points and seven dimes, while Slaughter went for 22 points, 14 boards and five blocks in defeat.

Game 2 was all Warriors early, and WGS broke out a 35-27 halftime lead thanks to a strong, 22-point first half from CB13. Mavs Gaming made a run after the break and kept the contest competitive. Down 39-31 midway through the quarter, Mavs Gaming went on a 12-7 run to end the period and cut the lead to a more manageable 46-43 deficit. In the fourth quarter, the teams traded small three and five-point runs, and Mavs Gaming cut it to 51-50 with three minutes to play. Both teams then rattled off separate four-point runs to get the game to 55-54 with under a minute remaining. Warriors GS went up 57-54 before a reset was required. When play resumed, 55 seconds were put on the clock, and both teams went at it down to the last second in a thrilling finish. Down 59-58 with just a couple ticks left, PeteBeBallin got the ball in the paint, faked, and put up what appeared to be a game winner. The time on the clock did not measure fractional seconds due to the reset, so the game was not called for some time following the shot. Replay ultimately ruled that the bucket counted, and Mavs Gaming swept Warriors GS in a completely unexpected turn of events as PeteBeBallin played the hero.

Warriors GS falls to 6-2 on the season, while Mavs Gaming improves to 7-3, as both teams remain among the best in 2K League play.