RotoWire – Jason Shebilske

In each team’s regular-season finale Thursday, Gen.G Tigers built up some momentum heading into THE TICKET, powered by AT&T, with a comfortable sweep over Pistons GT.

Gen.G Tigers came out of the gates hot by shooting 3-for-4 from beyond the arc during the first three minutes of Game 1, while Pistons GT faltered with a 33 percent field goal conversion rate over that span. The narrative was completely different during the rest of the quarter as Pistons GT shot much more efficiently and trimmed the deficit despite committing five turnovers. Gen.G Tigers carried a 23-21 lead at the end of the period. Gen.G Tigers had a much more efficient field-goal percentage than the Pistons during the second quarter, but Pistons GT converted on two more three-pointers than the Tigers did, and the score remained relatively close with Gen.G leading 44-40 at halftime.

Pistons GT shot just 50 percent over the third quarter, giving Gen.G Tigers a chance to take control of the game. The Tigers seized that chance, shooting 4-for-7 from long range during the quarter as they brought their lead to 68-57 at the end of the frame. They kept their foot on the gas during the fourth quarter, holding Pistons GT to a 50 percent field-goal rate once again while going 4-for-5 from beyond the arc to earn a 93-75 win. Flac (28 points, 15 rebounds) and Gen (26 points) led Gen.G Tigers in scoring, but the offense ran through ShiftyKaii as he finished with 19 points and 20 assists, along with a team-leading four steals. For Pistons GT, Ramo led the game with 35 points, but the team didn’t have any other major standouts on the scoreboard that would have allowed the team to keep pace with the Tigers.

Each team shot 8-for-15 over the first quarter of Game 2, but Gen.G Tigers pulled ahead to a slight lead by converting on three of their attempts from long distance, and they held a 19-16 lead at the end of the quarter. Gen.G Tigers shot less effectively overall in the second quarter than they did in the first, but they converted on another three attempts from deep while forcing four turnovers. Ramo was carrying Pistons GT with 24 points at the half, but the Tigers still led 38-33 heading into the second half.

Pistons GT made the game much more interesting during the third quarter. The team began the frame on a 12-8 run over the first four minutes as Ramo got help from Demon JT and Charger x 704, and the team trimmed the deficit to just one point heading into the fourth as the Tigers led 52-51. Ramo contributed 13 of the team’s 17 points in the final quarter, but the Pistons were overpowered by Gen.G. ShiftyKaii had 15 points of his own, and the Tigers closed out the series as a team with a 76-68 win in the second game. ShiftyKaii carried the torch for Gen.G Tigers in several areas with 29 points and 16 assists, and he got crucial assistance from Flac (19 points, 19 rebounds) and Gen (19 points). Ramo was strong on both sides of the ball for Pistons GT with 45 points and four steals, and while Charger x 704 had a 10-point, 19-rebound double-double, the rest of the team wasn’t able to generate nearly enough offensive production to force a decisive third game.

Gen.G Tigers (6-10) and Pistons GT (4-12) will each attempt to win a playoff spot during THE TICKET powered by AT&T, scheduled to begin Aug. 13.