Heat Check Gaming Storm Back to Win Series over Mavs Gaming

Jason Shebilske | RotoWire

Mavs Gaming began Wednesday’s series with a strong performance in Game 1, but Heat Check Gaming flipped the script and secured a pair of blowout wins to advance in THE TURN, powered by AT&T.

Mavs Gaming chose to put Dimez on the bench to begin the series, but the team still began Game 1 quite efficiently, as Gen and MrStylez combined to shoot 80 percent from beyond the arc in the first quarter. While SAV totaled seven points for Heat Check Gaming in the frame, the Mavs entered the second quarter with an 18-12 lead. The two teams played much more evenly throughout the second quarter, and SAV shot 63.6 percent from the floor in the first half en route to 18 points at halftime. However, Mavs Gaming maintained their advantage and led 35-28 at the half.

Gen stayed hot in the third quarter and had eclipsed 20 points by the end of the frame, while Sick One had already secured a double-double with 15 points and 11 rebounds. SAV’s efforts weren’t enough to chip away at the deficit, and Mavs Gaming had a 53-44 lead heading into the fourth quarter. The Heat brought the game within seven points with 3:30 remaining, but Mavs Gaming bounced back in the low-scoring fourth quarter and claimed a 63-53 victory in Game 1. Gen led the Mavs with 29 points and seven assists, while Sick One posted a double-double with 15 points and 16 rebounds. SAV ended Game 1 with 29 points, but Killeyy (13 points) was the only other player who scored in double figures for the Heat.

Dimez remained on the sidelines for Game 2, and the Mavs were unable to generate the same production as they had during the first game. Heat Check Gaming jumped out to a 12-4 lead in the first 2:44 of the contest while converting on five of their first six attempts from the floor. Mavs Gaming struggled with ball control by converting four turnovers during the quarter, which allowed the Heat to take a 25-8 lead at the end of the frame. The trend continued in the second quarter, as both SAV and Hotshot had recorded double-digit scoring totals by halftime, while the Mavs shot just 42.1 percent from the floor in the first half. As a result, Heat Check Gaming held a 45-21 lead heading into halftime.

The Heat maintained their advantage to begin the second half, but the game was suspended with just over two minutes remaining in the third quarter with Heat Check Gaming holding a 50-31 lead. Following the delay, the Heat remained effective and coasted to a 71-54 win to force a third game. SAV had another strong performance for Heat Check Gaming and finished with 29 points and seven assists, while Hotshot posted a double-double with 21 points, 15 rebounds and four assists. Gen logged 26 points and nine assists for the Mavs, and Sick One finished with 20 points and 14 rebounds.

Mavs Gaming put Dimez back in the lineup for the decisive Game 3, while ziah shifted to the bench. Although Dimez didn’t have much of an impact early with just two points in the first quarter, Mavs Gaming still finished the frame with a 20-18 lead behind eight points from Gen. However, Heat Check Gaming regrouped early in the second quarter as Killey converted on all six of his field goal attempts in the frame. While Gen remained hot for the Mavs, Heat Check Gaming claimed a 41-35 lead at halftime.

Killey continued his scoring surge in the third quarter, while SAV added 10 points for the Heat in the frame and had a double-double by the start of the fourth quarter. Mavs Gaming struggled to keep pace once again, and the Heat headed into the final frame with a 62-52 lead. Heat Check Gaming went on a 9-2 run in the first 1:58 of the fourth quarter and never looked back, as the team secured the comeback series win with a 90-68 victory in Game 3. Killeyy led all scorers with 34 points for Heat Check Gaming, while SAV (20 points, 19 assists) and Hotshot (17 points, 10 rebounds) each posted double-doubles. The Mavs were led by Gen (29 points, six assists) and Sick One (22 points, 10 rebounds), but they didn’t have any other players who scored in double figures during the blowout loss.

Heat Check Gaming will face off against Pacers Gaming on Thursday in the quarterfinals of THE TURN, powered by AT&T, while the Mavs will attempt to regroup ahead of their regular season matchup against Wizards District Gaming on July 29.