Rotowire

Monday’s matchup between Raptors Uprising GC and Heat Check Gaming figured to be a total mismatch. Behind the stalwart play of Kenny Got Work and Sick One, the Raptors have rattled off 10 straight games and blitzed the field in the TIPOFF tournament, winning most of their contests in convincing fashion. Along with an astounding 20-3 season-game record, they also entered Monday with a chance to make NBA 2K League history as the first team to go 11-0. The Heat’s season has been a roller coaster, as they’ve stolen some games in series losses to elite teams like the Wizards, but have only won two series (Grizz Gaming and 76’ers GC). If Heat Check was to have a chance, they’d need stellar games from both GlennRatty and Hotshot. Raptors Uprising blew out the Heat in Game 1 and showed resolve to storm back in the second half of Game 2 for the sweep.

Kenny Got Work got to work right away with a three, and as usual, the Raptors’ full-court press was on full display. On offense, Uprising moved the ball around efficiently and got almost everyone involved as they quickly jumped out to a 12-point lead. Behind some nice plays by Hotshot, the Heat Check was able to stem the tide a bit, and they trailed 24-15 at the end of the first quarter. Sick One got the Glass Cleaner badge lit up in the second quarter as he neared a double-double, and the Raptors took their time, slowly chipping away at a surprisingly apt Heat defense. Things began to get out of hand once GlenRatty got saddled with a cold ring, and with two minutes left in the half, the Heat found themselves 19 down, and as we’ve seen so many times this season, once the Raptors get that kind of a lead, they stay there. The Uprising can also showcase anyone on any given night, and the first half belonged to ReeceMode, who drained 4-of-5 from long range for 14 points. TimelyCook, who leads the league in steals, also got the ball running in that department early on his birthday with four thefts in the first half. In typical fashion, the Raptors went to the locker room with a 48-30 lead.

It became clear in the third quarter that the Heat weren’t playing badly – Hotshot made several plays and they stood up well to the Raptors’ full-court press. Simply put, there isn’t a team in the league that can keep up with the Raptors, and even if you get close, they’ll sap your momentum and answer every basket. At a 70-42 disadvantage at the end of the third frame, the worn-down Heat seemed ready to hit the reset button and get on with Game 2.

The Heat only had success in the frontcourt against the Raptors, so they kept feeding it to Hotshot in the fourth since their 3-point attempts weren’t finding the basket. There was nothing they could do to stop the eventual blowout, however. The Raptors took one step closer to history with a 92-54 win. Kenny Got Work led the Raptors with 30 points, but two other stars overshadowed that effort. TimelyCook ended the game with an eye-popping nine steals, and Sick One blew the roof off with a 21-point 23-rebound double-double. The Heat’s 22 turnovers loomed large in this matchup, as did the lukewarm outing by GlenRatty. Hotshot’s 23 points and 15 rebounds kept them in the game.

Game 2 started out a bit differently, as Heat Check was able to keep up with Raptors Uprising GC, which is essential if you want to beat them. The squad is deadly in the second half, and few teams can come back if the Raptors get out to a huge lead early. Heat Check Gaming achieved that goal by keeping it close, leading 21-19 at the end of the first frame. They were helped by GlenRatty, who rediscovered his shot and poured in 10 points.

Hotshot’s Glass Cleaner badge lit up and the Heat showed some namesake fire as they jumped out to an improbable six-point lead early in the second quarter. Kenny got Work was ice-cold and the team suffered from the turnover bug, and while the Heat had the lead, they allowed Kenny Got Work a couple of easy shots while on a cold ring – something you rarely see and can’t allow. Despite that error, the Heat held on to the lead and led by four at intermission.

The Raptors were up to their old tricks in the third quarter, which historically is where they put teams away. They pushed their lead up to nine, 55-46, leaving Heat Check just six minutes to get back in the game and even up the series. Due to the Cash Grab beginning this week and point differential being a pivotal metric in the competition, the Raptors put on the gas in the fourth and widened the gap. Despite a valiant effort from Heat Check, Raptors Uprising prevailed 80-58 and swept the series. Despite a cold streak in the first half, Kenny Got Work turned in another brilliant game, solidifying his stranglehold on the league assist lead with 35 points and 12 assists. GlennRatty rebounded with a 35-point effort and did all he could to keep the Heat in the game.

Raptors Uprising (11-0) will tackle Gen.G Tigers later in the week. Heat Check Gaming (2-7) gets an extended break and will take on Bucks Gaming on July 15th.