RotoWire — Jeff Edgerton

After a decisive 2-0 series win over the Celtics, Bucks Gaming advanced to face Hornets Venom GC in the second round of THE TURN, powered by AT&T. The Bucks were responsible for halting Jazz Gaming’s streak of wins two weeks ago, but have failed to best similar competition like the Warriors and Nets in recent weeks. Although the Hornets were the higher-seeded team, the Bucks put up a good fight. Ultimately, some costly errors by the Bucks and a blown lead in Game 2 ended up being the difference-maker, and the Hornets advanced with a 2-1 series win.

The stage was set for Regg to shine, as the Bucks point guard is one of the league leaders in points and assists. Although Snubby doesn’t have the same numbers, this backcourt matchup proved to be the most intriguing aspect of the contest. Game 1 was very competitive, with several lead changes throughout. An and-one shot for the Bucks seemed to put things out of reach in the final minute, but the Hornets responded with a three to put the contest within two points. After a foul, they could only get one of two free throws to fall, giving the Hornets life in the final seconds. Unfortunately for the Venom, they committed the costliest of turnovers, and that put the nail in the coffin. The Bucks survived with a narrow 64-63 win to take the first game of the series. As expected, the game’s production flowed through Regg, who poured in 14 points and 14 assists. Plondo also came up big inside with a 14/17 double-double.

Game 2 started as a mirror image of the first game, as both teams were dialed in on both ends of the ball and traded shots throughout the first quarter. The Bucks were a bit sharper moving the ball around and enjoyed better looks than the Venom, but otherwise, the teams remained evenly matched once again. The Bucks were able to eke out a five-point lead to end the quarter, bolstered by five dimes from Regg. A flurry of production at the beginning of the second frame extended the Bucks’ lead to as much as 15 points at the four-minute mark, and the game was seriously in danger of getting out of hand for the Hornets before halftime. Things went from bad to worse in the quarter, with the Bucks showing double takeovers on their roster and Snubby suffering with a cold ring. The quarter ended with the Bucks holding a commanding 41-24 lead. Regg was already sporting a 10-point, 11-assist double-double at halftime, which was just one example of the Bucks’ dominance in the first 12 minutes. Arooks also had an excellent first half, drilling all five of his 3-point attempts.

The third quarter was marred by a technical delay that lasted 20 minutes, and it forced a restart. The Hornets came out swinging and rang up a 9-0 run to put the game back within striking distance. The Bucks were able to answer, but not before the Hornets closed the gap enough to tie the game. The teams traded baskets several times from there. Due to the restart, fouls were reset, which meant that if a team went down by more than one possession, they wouldn’t be able to gain any ground with missed free throws. With very little time left, the Hornets held on to the ball but turned the ball over. The Bucks had a chance to tie the game, but they couldn’t get a shot to fall, and the Hornets completed a roaring comeback to win Game 2, 65-63. The Bucks employed poor time management and made some awful shot selections late in the game, and were it not for these mistakes, the series would have been over. Snubby led the Hornets with 22 points and four assists.

Although the Hornets had the momentum going into the third game, the first quarter score did not reflect it, as both teams remained deadlocked throughout the first frame. The Bucks rediscovered their groove in the second quarter, as they surged ahead by as many as 10 before the Hornets climbed back into it. The half ended with the Bucks hanging on to a five-point lead, 31-26.

The tide turned massively in the second half, as the Bucks went ice-cold and the Hornets pulled ahead. Once they took the lead, they never looked back, but Regg kept things interesting with a few drained threes to close the Venom’s lead to nine, after leading by as much as 19 at one point. The Hornets closed the deal and took the series 2-1 with a win.

Hornets Venom will play Jazz Gaming next in the tournament, while the Bucks return to regular season play next week.