RotoWire – JEFF EDGERTON

Bucks Gaming and NetsGC found themselves in a tie for fifth in the league standings, so Tuesday’s matchup between these two squads held special importance as the season hurtles towards post-season action. Choc (Nets) and Regg (Bucks) are the headliners for these teams, and Choc garnered Player of the Month honors in June. Regg also came into this game leading the league in scoring and also ranked fourth in assists. With a jump in the standings and a $500 cash grab at stake, this series was neck-and-neck throughout, but the Nets took the series behind a key three to win Game 1 and superb center play to thwart Game 3.

Regg helped the Bucks jump out to an early lead in Game 1, as he posted 13 of the team’s 23 points in the first quarter. The Bucks led 23-16 going into the second frame, taking advantage of the opposition’s clumsy play. Six of the team’s 10 turnovers in the half were committed by Choc, who could only muster four points compared to 20 from Regg, who had already drilled four treys by intermission. NetsGC would need to play catch-up in the second half, down 41-28 going into the third.

Thanks to some support from Wavy at the four, the Nets began to close the gap somewhat as play continued. Although no one on the team had discovered their 3-point shot, they were able to keep things close with a few transition baskets, which were the result of some scrappy defense on their part. Choc finally got his shot back after riding with a cold ring for most of the quarter, and his free throws in the closing seconds of the third completed the Nets’ comeback, closing the gap to two at 54-52. Although Choc wasn’t draining threes, his ability to get the ball to playmakers was on full display as his assist count kept climbing in the fourth. Regg was no slouch in that department either, as Regg and Plondo were in sync with a few slick dishes into the paint, including one flashy pass that extended the Bucks’ lead. It looked like the game was slipping away for the Nets, but Wavy knocked in a key mid-range shot to close the deficit to three points, with about two minutes left. Up by one, the Bucks took a time out with a little over a minute left, and there was little doubt that Regg would be the key component of the game plan to put this game away. Unfortunately for the Bucks, he couldn’t get either of his shots to fall, and the Nets took a timeout with 30 seconds left, converted a basket and took a one-point lead with just 14 seconds left. The Bucks would not be denied and took the lead back with two seconds left. And then, in one of the more thrilling buzzer-beaters of the season, Choc went green on a shot from beyond the arc, nothing but net – and just like that, the Nets stole Game 1 from a shell-shocked Bucks squad. Choc, the obvious hero of the game, finished with a massive 30-point, 13-assist double-double, and Shuttles won the battle against Plondo in the paint with 10 points, a whopping 20 rebounds and an eye-popping eight blocked shots. Regg ended with 30 points and nine assists, and Arooks also pitched in with 16 points and four steals in the loss.

The Bucks wasted no time in shaking off that disappointing loss and took a decisive lead in the first quarter of Game 2. Regg seemed to have free will to shoot and dish inside to Plondo throughout the quarter, and with contributions from Squidris and Arooks, the Bucks stormed out to a 23-11 lead heading into the second quarter. The Nets closed the gap to begin the frame, but the Bucks answered, finishing the quarter with a jumper from Arooks to extend the lead to 11 at the half. The Nets would once again have to charge back with a second-half run to keep things interesting.

Choc led his team back within striking distance with some sweet dishes and a couple of slashes into the paint, but the Bucks kept answering with every player contributing. With the momentum beginning to shift, Choc found Randomz wide open in the paint for an easy basket with about a minute left in the frame to slow the Bucks down. That comeback wouldn’t last long, however. Regg and the Bucks went on a huge run, with a three, a transition basket and another three to bring their lead back to 12 with six minutes left.

The Bucks began to take their sweet time, using the full 24 seconds to eat the clock and seal up the win. Arooks, who already had five threes by this point, continued to stick the dagger in with key shots, but Choc refused to quit. He stole a faulty lob and sunk a layup to cut the Bucks’ lead to seven, but that was about as close as they would get. The Bucks won, 74-67, and forced this series to a third game. Although the Nets shot better and kept things even in the turnover and rebound column, the Bucks’ 12 3-pointers proved to be the difference-maker. Arooks nailed five threes for 21 points, and Squidris drilled four treys for 16 points. As usual, Reg led the way with 18 points and 10 assists. Choc did all he could, finishing with 30 points and 13 assists, and Shuttles remained dominant with 20 rebounds and eight blocked shots.

The half-court defenses of both teams were excellent throughout the series, but they took the front seat to begin Game 3. Both teams exchanged baskets and looked evenly matched, and the end result was the Nets leading in the first quarter for the first time in the series, 15-14. They took off on a 4-0 run to begin the quarter, and Shuttles kept giving his team second-chance looks with offensive boards. Regg would not stay quiet, as he helped the Bucks charge back into the lead. The momentum still tilted the Nets way despite the Bucks’ charge, and they rode it to a 31-28 lead at the half.

Shuttles continued to play a key role for the Nets in the third quarter, as he grabbed boards and swatted shots with abandon, neutralizing the Bucks’ attempts to charge back. After a basket by Randomz, the Nets extended to a 46-33 lead, and the Bucks took a time out to regroup. The Bucks let the game slip away, however. A drilled three by Choc put the Nets up by 18, and they kept on going from there. The Nets led 57-39 heading into the fourth quarter, and after taking off to a 6-0 run, the sails drooped for the Bucks, as the Nets flat out outplayed them in Game 3, cruising to a 74-61 victory.

Although Choc hit the game-winner in Game 1, the player of the series had to be Shuttles, who put together a staggering 20 points, 33 rebounds and 11 blocks over the first two games and lowered the hammer on the Bucks with 19 points, 21 rebounds and six blocked shots in the final game. While neither team shot the ball especially well (combined 8-for-24 from long range), Choc netted 27 points and dropped 11 dimes brilliant led he offense throughout. Despite standout performances from Regg and Plondo, Arooks regressed after two excellent games with only eight points.

Nets GC (6-4) will try to keep rolling against Pacer Gaming on Wednesday. Bucks Gaming (5-5) will square off against Warriors Gaming Squad next week.