RotoWire — Jason Shebilske

With a chance to control their own destiny Thursday heading into the playoffs, Hornets Venom GT was upset by Heat Check Gaming, who pulled off a reverse sweep to pick up a series win.

Offense was hard to come by to begin Game 1. Each team accumulated four blocks over the first quarter and combined, the teams shot just 27.2 percent from the floor during the first six minutes. Heat Check Gaming held the slight edge heading into the second quarter with an 11-10 lead. Although the teams were slightly more efficient during the second quarter, Hornets Venom GT had a higher shot volume, thanks in part to a pair of steals and two additional blocks during the frame. As a result, the Hornets led 31-27 at the half. Despite shooting just 5-for-12 during the first half, Snubby racked up 12 points for Hornets Venom GT by halftime, while Hotshot took advantage of the relatively low shooting percentage to bring in 10 rebounds in addition to six points for Heat Check Gaming.

The teams remained in a close matchup over the first two minutes of the second half, and the Hornets held a narrow 36-34 lead with 3:51 remaining in the third quarter. Hornets Venom GT went on a run over the next two minutes as Snubby found his stroke and went 4-for-4 from beyond the arc during that span. By the end of the frame, the Hornets had increased the lead to 54-40. Hornets Venom GT continued to play productively over the fourth quarter and cruised to a 78-54 win in the first game. Snubby had a game-leading 33 points for Hornets Venom GT, while Zae and Type each had 12-point, 13-rebound double-doubles. Glenn Ratty shot just 3-for-15 from the floor and was the only member of Heat Check Gaming with a single-digit point total with six points along with seven assists. Hotshot had a double-double with 14 points and 17 rebounds, but none of the team’s players stood out enough to keep the Heat in the game.

Game 2 was even throughout the first quarter once again, but the teams were much more efficient on the offensive side of the ball. Heat Check Gaming shot 8-for-10 from the floor, but the team also committed six turnovers over the first quarter, allowing the frame to end in a 22-22 tie. The trend continued over the second quarter. Hornets Venom GT shot just 50 percent from the floor, but Heat Check Gaming committed three more turnovers, so the teams were tied 38-38 at the half even though the Heat shot 75 percent during the second quarter.

The Hornets were unable to rediscover their third-quarter magic the second time around. The team was inefficient offensively once again by converting on just 5-of-14 field goal attempts, but the team didn’t force any turnovers in the third quarter. Part of the Hornets’ struggles stemmed from Type’s seven fouls that he had accumulated by the end of the third quarter. Heat Check Gaming made the most of their opportunities to take a 61-52 lead into the final period. The Hornets made a strong push in the final quarter, going on an 11-6 run over the first four minutes of the frame to bring the game within four points. However, Heat Check Gaming converted on the majority of their free throws over the final couple of minutes and took the second game by a score of 75-70. GlennRatty completely turned things around in Game 2 as he had 37 points and six assists for Heat Check Gaming, and Hotshot had another double-double with 13 points and 17 rebounds. Snubby contributed 29 points and five assists for the Hornets and Type had a 15-point, 14-rebound double-double, but the team wasn’t efficient enough to secure a sweep.

The start of Game 3 was more of a defensive battle than the second game was. The teams were a combined 0-for-4 from long range as Hornets Venom GT led 16-10 at the end of the first quarter. The game took on the same pattern in the second quarter. Heat Check Gaming converted on the half’s lone three-pointer, but the Hornets still led 26-22 at the half.

The Heat went on a 10-6 run over the first three minutes of the third quarter, but the Hornets gained some ground back over the rest of the frame and maintained a 43-40 lead heading into the fourth. Heat Check Gaming forced two turnovers to begin the final frame and evened the score within the first 1:43 of the quarter. The Heat then went on a 7-2 run over the next three minutes and eventually pulled off the upset with a 61-58 win. GlennRatty was slightly less effective during the third game with 22 points, five assists and four steals for the Heat, but he got crucial help from TBShiftay, who finished with 17 points and four blocks, while Hotshot had 12 points and 14 rebounds. For Hornets Venom GT, Snubby had 34 points while Type had 10 points and 18 rebounds, but Zae and Trap were held in check with a combined four points among the two players.

Heat Check Gaming (5-10) will finish the regular season Friday against Hawks Talon GC, while Hornets Venom GT (9-7) still clinched a playoff spot after T-Wolves Gaming and Blazer5 Gaming lost in their respective series Thursday.