RotoWire – Jeff Edgerton

Thursday’s match between Grizz Gaming and Blazer5 Gaming was a tale of two teams on the outside looking in. Both squads were in desperate need of a series win to breathe life into their playoff hopes, and Blazers5 needed to stem the tide after dropping six of their last seven games. After starting hot, the Blazers’ season has spiralled out of control, and they hoped to regain their early-season magic Thursday only for it to fail to materialize, as Grizz Gaming took a step toward the playoff bubble with a 2-1 series win.

The first quarter battled to an 18-18 tie, as both teams were evenly matched, as expected. Both of the team’s defenses showed deficiencies in the interior, with both Vandi and Mama Im Dat Man connecting with their big men consistently. The momentum swung the Grizzlies’ way in the second quarter, as the backcourt of Vandi and AuthenticAfrican led an initial charge that put their team ahead by as much as 17 points in an impressive 27-11 second quarter. Although he led his team with nine points, the first half was a bit of a struggle for Mama Im Dat Man, going just 4-of-11 from the floor over the first two frames. OneWildWalnut’s four turnovers didn’t help the Blazers’ cause either.

With a 45-29 lead to begin the third quarter, Grizz Gaming remained in command. To get Mama Im Dat Man open, the Blazers attempted a few pick-and-rolls, but the Grizz were able to circumvent it every time. Every attempted charge for the Blazers was answered with offensive firepower, and two drained threes pushed the lead out to 20 points for the Grizzlies. Things went from bad to worse for the Blazers as the quarter continued. Vandi put on a clinic in the third quarter, and his shot-making and ball-handling helped his team to a 70-41 advantage. Early in the fourth quarter, the whole league went radio silent due to apparent technical difficulties on Twitch, but YouTube viewing was unaffected. A decision was made to conclude the game where it was at rather than restart, so Game 1 went to the Grizzlies. Blazer5’s 13 turnovers and 45-percent shooting proved to be the difference in this one, but credit is due to Grizz Gaming’s backcourt and their unstoppable play. Vandi popped a 33-point, 10-assist line and AuthenticAfrican supplemented with 20 points and four steals. Mama Im Dat Man posted one of his worst games of the year with only 11 points and seven assists.

Blazer5 were eager to even this series up and got off to a hot start in Game 2 before the Grizz were able to cut the lead to one point at the end of the quarter. Their surge continued into the second quarter and pushed the lead out to as much as 16 points in the frame. While Mama Im Dat Man revived his shot, the Blazers’ defense began to wither, giving up too many transition baskets. Vandi was locked in and instrumental in this comeback with 21 points in the first half. His laser focus and red-hot shooting dominated the proceedings and Grizz Gaming looked poised to sweep as the half ended 43-30.

The Blazers were playing well enough to stay within striking distance, and a loose ball resulted in a transition basket that cut the Grizzlies’ lead to 10. The momentum pendulum shifted over to B5 following the turnover, and they were able to cut the lead to four. Vandi and GOOFY were unable to keep their connection going in the third, and the Blazers began to funnel more of their offensive output inside. That switch helped them to cut the Grizzlies’ lead, 53-48. Mama Im Dat Man drained a three right off the bat to begin the fourth quarter, bringing B5 within one possession. The game would ultimately remain close throughout the fourth. With under a minute left, the Blazers took their first lead at 65-62 and eventually stole the game 69-62. The 21-9 quarter for the Blazers wasn’t as much about scoring as it was the defensive adjustments made by B5, They were able to neutralize Vandi, who was the de facto facilitator for the Grizzlies and the biggest thorn in the Blazers’ side in Game 1. Mama Im Dat Man led all scorers with 34 points and 12 dimes, most of which headed OneWildWalnut’s way. The big man contributed 14 points and 17 rebounds in the win.

Mama Im Dat Man made an archetype shift from Scoring Machine to Slashing Sharpshooter for Game 3, an added wrinkle as they tried to come back in this series. The Blazers jumped out to an early lead, generating a 6-0 run to begin the quarter. Vandi got stuck with a cold ring after some errant shots early in the frame, but the Blazers started to sputter a bit offensively, bringing the Grizz back into the game. The quarter ended 14-10, with B5 holding the lead. It was Grizz Gaming’s turn early in the second, as they put together a 7-2 run to take the lead for the first time in the game. With Mama’s 3-point accuracy compromised by the archetype switch, the Grizz would gain a significant advantage if they could get some treys to fall, and AuthenticAfrican responded with a pair of threes that helped GG climb to a double-digit lead. Grizz Gaming ended the half out in front with a 39-30 lead.

The game began to slip through B5’s fingers, as the ability to contain Vandi began to wane rapidly. Grizz Gaming faced little resistance and seamlessly extended its lead to 21 midway through the stanza. The Blazers’ propensity to fade down the stretch was poised to rear it’s ugly head once again, as they entered the final frame down, 66-50. They were unable to gain any traction to mount a charge in the fourth quarter, but Vandi and the Grizzlies wouldn’t allow it, as they continued to score effectively and stretch out their lead. After dropping Game 2, Grizz Gaming would take Game 3 and scoop the series with an 85 -69 win. Vandi and AuthenticAfrican led the way for the Grizz, with Vandi going for 38 points and 11 assists, and AA tallying 21 points. The archetype switch for Mama Im Dat Man caused a dip in his long-range shooting, but he still managed 30 points and six assists in the loss. The three-point differential in this was the difference-maker, as Grizz Gaming went 12-of-20 from beyond the arc, while Blazer5 only converted three treys in 10 attempts.

Grizz Gaming (6-6) will face NetsGC next week. Blazer5Gaming (5-6) will try to stop their skid against the T-Wolves next Friday.