RotoWire – Jason Shebilske

The Mavs have been one of the top teams in the NBA 2K League during the regular season, and they were able to build on their momentum by sweeping Gen.G Tigers on Thursday.

The two teams remained fairly even over the first quarter as they finished the frame with Mavs Gaming leading 17-14. However, the Mavs were able to lock down on defense over the second quarter as the Tigers went just 1-for-10 from the field over the quarter. Mavs Gaming had committed six turnovers by the end of the half, but their solid defense allowed them to take a 38-19 lead at halftime. ShiftyKaii was cold for Gen.G Tigers over the majority of the first half, as he went 0-for-7 on his field goal attempts while also adding two turnovers. Sherm (17 points) and ByAnyMeansMo (10 points) each shot 80 percent from the floor over the half to help the Mavs establish a comfortable lead.

Gen.G Tigers managed to find some offensive footing in the third quarter, but they were unable to make up any ground as the Mavs went 10-for-12 from the field. The Mavs were able to head into the fourth quarter leading 61-37 as a result. As was the case during most of the game, Mavs Gaming’s offense ran through Sherm during the fourth quarter, and the Mavs were able to ride his solid performance to an 85-56 win. Sherm finished with a 32-point, 13-assist double-double for Mavs Gaming, and the team also got solid performances from ByAnyMeansMo (27 points, five assists) and PeteBeBallin (nine points, 12 rebounds). ShiftyKaii led Gen.G Tigers with 16 points, but he wasn’t efficient at all as he went 6-for-20 from the field. Deadeye nearly posted a triple-double with 12 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists, but the Tigers simply weren’t able to keep up with the offensive surge from the Mavs.

Gen.G Tigers kept the game much closer to begin Game 2. Behind 10 points from ShiftyKaii, the Tigers were able to head into the second quarter leading 17-15. Mavs Gaming were able to secure a 33-30 lead heading into the final minute of the half, but a 5-2 run heading into halftime allowed them to gain some insurance with a 38-32 lead. While ShiftyKaii went 5-for-7 from the field for the Tigers during the first quarter, he was held in check during the second and finished the half by going 8-for-14 on his field goals.

The teams had a narrow scoring differential during the second quarter, but almost all of the Tigers’ production came through ShiftyKaii, even though his field goal percentage continued to decline over the quarter. The Mavs entered the fourth quarter with a 56-49 lead after holding most of the Tigers in check. Gen.G Tigers outscored Mavs Gaming 9-8 over the first two and a half minutes of the fourth quarter, but the Mavs went on a 10-0 run over the next three minutes to close the door on the game and the series. Mavs Gaming secured an 80-61 victory in the second contest. Both teams were able to hold onto the ball relatively well over the first three quarters, but the Mavs forced seven turnovers in the fourth quarter which allowed them to cruise to a comfortable win. Mavs Gaming had double-doubles from Sherm (24 points, 10 rebounds) and PeteBeBallin (14 points, 11 rebounds, five steals), but Dimez was also incredibly effective with 22 points. ShiftyKaii generated much more production for Gen.G Tigers over Game 2 with 36 points, but he wasn’t incredibly efficient as he had a 55.2 percent field goal conversion rate, and he also committed seven turnovers.

Mavs Gaming (10-5) and Gen.G Tigers (5-8) will each be off until at least Wednesday, when THE TURN, powered by AT&T, is scheduled to begin. The Mavs are in a comfortable position to secure a spot in the playoffs, while the Tigers will attempt to perform well in tournament play once again to build momentum heading into the final stretch of the regular season.