RotoWire – Jason Shebilske

Two struggling teams met Friday in search of momentum heading into THE TURN, powered by AT&T, and Heat Check Gaming was able to emerge with a series win over Cavs Legion GC.

Game 1 was a relatively even contest throughout the first half. Each team had sloppy ball control over the first quarter with eight combined turnovers, but Heat Check Gaming converted on 76.9 percent of their field goal attempts over the quarter to take a 20-15 lead into the second quarter. The Heat were less sharp from the field during the second quarter, and the Cavs closed the gap heading into the half, with the Heat leading 33-30.

Heat Check Gaming came out of the gates strong in the second half, forcing four turnovers over the first 3:10 of the third quarter, which helped lead to a 15-3 run. The Heat kept their foot on the gas throughout the remainder of the frame. As a team, they shot 10-for-12 from the field during the third quarter and improved their lead to 58-36 by the end of the third quarter. The Cavs found some offensive footing over the fourth quarter, but Heat Check Gaming kept running up the scoreboard to win the first game, 79-54. Hotshot was strong for the Heat with a team-leading 29 points, 17 rebounds and five blocks. TBShiftay went 11-for-14 from the field to provide the Heat with 25 points, five assists and five steals. oLarry put up a 19-point, 15-rebound double-double with six steals for Cavs Legion Gaming. Although Strainer finished with 18 points, he went just 8-for-20 from the field while committing 10 turnovers.

Cavs Legion GC got off to a much better start in Game 2. Heat Check Gaming went just 5-for-13 from the field, and Cavs Legion GC converted three shots from beyond the arc to take a 22-12 lead at the end of the first quarter. Both teams struggled with ball control once again during the second quarter, and the Heat were able to make up some ground heading into the half. However, the Cavs still led 34-28 at halftime.

Heat Check Gaming gained some traction over the start of the second half, but the Cavs quickly ended Heat Check Gaming’s hopes and opened up the game with a 15-5 run over the first three minutes of the half. The Heat continued to struggle over the remainder of the third quarter as they committed eight turnovers, and the Cavs held a 57-37 lead heading into the final quarter. It was a relatively even and anticlimactic final quarter as the Cavs forced a third game with a comfortable 81-58 victory. Doza led Cavs Legion GC with 38 points over the second game, while oLarry was dominant and put up a triple-double with 10 points, 21 rebounds and 10 assists. For the Heat, TBShiftay was efficient once again with 24 points while GlennRatty also put up 16 points, but they were unable to get enough help from their teammates to keep up with the Cavs.

The two teams were locked into a close game during the first quarter of Game 3. TBShiftay went 5-for-5 on his field goal attempts, which helped the Heat keep up with a 70 percent field goal conversion rate from the Cavs as the teams headed into the second quarter tied 17-17. TBShiftay remained perfect in the second quarter, but each team managed to force their fair share of turnovers once again. The Heat were able to build a one-point lead as they led 36-35 at the half.

The Cavs jumped out to a six-point advantage over the first two minutes of the second half, but the Heat capitalized on the Cavs’ seven turnovers during the quarter and regained a one-point lead with 1:20 remaining in the third quarter. The Heat then went on a 7-2 run to end the quarter, giving them a 57-51 lead heading into the final frame. Neither team was particularly efficient in their field goal attempts over the fourth quarter, but the Heat were able to maintain their advantage and win the series with a 71-64 victory in Game 3. The Heat had two performers with 20-plus points in the third game as TBShiftay had 22 points and GlennRatty put up 20 points and six assists while also committing eight turnovers. Hotshot had a 10-point, 15-rebound double-double. Doza led the Cavs with 25 points and seven assists while oLarry had 23 points and 14 rebounds, but the team also had two points finish with scoreless performances as they dropped the series.

With bleak regular season records, both Heat Check Gaming (4-8) and Cavs Legion GC (4-6) will shift their focus toward THE TURN, powered by AT&T, which is scheduled to begin Wednesday.