Week 8 Rewind
June 8, 2019
Take a look back at the week that was in the NBA 2K League with a collection of some of the best games, performances, highlights and more from around the 2KL world.
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Games of the Week
Jazz Gaming 64, HEAT Check Gaming 63: In a week that saw a slew of one-sided affairs, this nail-biter came down to the final seconds. Desperate trying to snap out of their recent funk, Heat Check switched up the lineup in moving MaJes7ic to point guard and sliding Hood over to small forward. However, a late foul call would prove to be their demise as Ria made a free-throw to break a deadlock with one second left to send Miami to a fifth consecutive loss. MOAM paced Jazz Gaming with 22 points in the win.
Raptors Uprising GC 53, Pacers Gaming 46: Eye-pleasing this was not. Pacers Gaming were held to just 16 points by halftime to trail by double-digits while experimenting with a new lineup. With things seemingly out of reach, Indiana went on a run in the fourth quarter to get within three points. But KingQuai614 had an answer on the other end, nailing a 3-pointer from the wing to end any hopes of a comeback. The win helped Raptors Uprising to an important doubleheader split, with Pacers Gaming dropping a third straight.
76ers GC 50, Nets GC 37: A day before putting on an offensive clinic in scoring 95 points against Pistons GT, Philly showed just how dangerous they can be on the defensive end. They were jumping the passing lines throughout, making life uncomfortable for Nets GC while coming away with 22 steals and harassing Lav into a rare poor performance by the rookie point guard. Both teams entered the contest tied in the standings, with the loss pushing Brooklyn just outside of the playoff picture for now.
Outstanding Performances
ZDS (42 points, 8 3FGM) and Radiant, 76ers GC (34 points, 15 assists) vs Pistons GT: The duo spent much of the fourth quarter of the blowout toying with their opponent. Radiant padded his assists total to finish with a monster line. ZDS was on the receiving end of many of those passes, shooting 17 of 21 and setting the season’s single-game scoring mark on a wide-open 3-pointer in the waning seconds.
Plondo, Bucks Gaming (36 points, 7 rebounds, 2 steals, 4 blocks) vs Magic Gaming: The rookie big man slid over to power forward and didn’t miss a beat. In fact, he turned in one of his most dominant performances of the season in helping pick up the scoring slack created with BigMeek out of the lineup.
Reizey, Magic Gaming (24 points, 12 assists) vs HEAT Check Gaming: He’s been one of the best point guards over the past few weeks and continued his hot play with another double-double. He was efficient in missing just three shots, while also committing only three turnovers as Magic Gaming ran their win streak to three straight.
BearDaBeast, T-Wolves Gaming (30 points, 9 assists, 4 3FGM) vs Hawks Talon GC: Bear is BACK. The rookie point guard was an offensive force in the route of Hawks Talon in establishing a career high in points. He barely missed a double-double and nailed all four of his attempts from downtown in a much-need strong outing.
Vert, Lakers Gaming (19 points, 10 rebounds) vs Hawks Talon GC: There’s been a revolving door at point guard this season for Lakers Gaming, but Vert provided a steady hand in his best showing of the season. He notched a double-double while committing just a pair of turnovers in helping snap his team’s eight-game skid.
USERPICK, Wizards District Gaming (25 points, 5 steals) vs Knicks Gaming: Not too shabby of an offensive outing for a guy playing on a defensive build. User exploded for his career high in scoring, hitting 11 of 13 shots to pace his troops. He got it done on the other end as well with those 5 takeaways.
AuthenticAfrican, Grizz Gaming (18 points, 16 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals) vs Pistons GT: This is the type of line we were accustomed from AA last season. He turned back the clock with an all-around effort, missing just two shots from the floor in the process. Most importantly, he sparked a lopsided 34-point victory.
Must-See Plays
Put it in the record books.
.@HBOScretty sets the season record for most points in a game with 42! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/s3DXXkfypM
— NBA 2K League (@NBA2KLeague) June 7, 2019
Reizey making it look easy.
.@ReizeyRH comes out swinging, no surprises here 👀 pic.twitter.com/cBbs5Oo95Q
— Magic Gaming (@MagicGaming) June 6, 2019
Just hangin’ around.
👀 @TsJoshh goes UP for the reverse alley-oop! 👀 pic.twitter.com/4Y82XxiHvo
— NBA 2K League (@NBA2KLeague) June 7, 2019
Transition buckets.
GIMME THAT!
@Newdini33 steals it and @76ersGC has now TIED the record for steals in a game (16) with a quarter still to play. 👀
Watch LIVE on @Twitch and @YouTube. pic.twitter.com/LdO1tzElBR
— NBA 2K League (@NBA2KLeague) June 5, 2019
Good old fashioned bounce pass.
Bounce, buckets.#RTZ2K | 📺 » https://t.co/dowkY2pPd0 pic.twitter.com/6eEBgvPYz5
— Raptors Uprising GC (@RaptorsGC) June 7, 2019
Teamwork makes the dream work.
Defense ➡️ Offense.
.@Plondo_ with the BLOCK before @SlayIsland_ lays it in! pic.twitter.com/auGjWrbvWG
— NBA2KLeague (@NBA2KLeague) June 7, 2019
He’s a Beast.
.@BearDaBeast23 goes UP for the JAM! 😤
Watch LIVE on @Twitch and @YouTube. pic.twitter.com/DQfcObZDGz
— NBA 2K League (@NBA2KLeague) June 7, 2019
Vandi Sauces ‘em up.
.@ImVandii with the lob. 🙌@KelMav_ with the JAM. 👀
Watch LIVE on @Twitch and @YouTube. pic.twitter.com/IYjSkfLmcs
— NBA 2K League (@NBA2KLeague) June 8, 2019
Fun with Numbers
9 — Single-game steal record set by both Steez and BreadwinnerLA of 76ers GC vs Nets GC.
22 — Steals by 76ers GC in win over Nets GC to set a new single-game record.
43 — Margin of victory by T-Wolves Gaming against Hawks Talon GC.
95 — 76ers GC’s points in win vs Pistons GC, a new league high this season.
Tweet of the Week
The great point guards are the unselfish ones.
This is me thinking.. “hmm should i go for the season record or help my boy @HBOScretty get it.. decisions decisions” 🤣🤣🤣 pic.twitter.com/INN6fTegjW
— Ethan White (@iTz_Radiant) June 7, 2019
Quotables
“We’re gonna win THE TICKET because my team is stacked. My team is going to carry me. We’ve got offense everywhere.” –Grizz Gaming’s DDouble was feeling good about his squad’s chances heading into the final tournament of the season coming off a win over Pistons GT.
“When Radiant is playing his game, there is no one who can guard him. I know there’s been some great talk about Mama as an MVP, Fab is doing really well — just because we slipped up and lost a few games with Radiant, he’s still one of the dogs and he’s our MVP.” — 76ers GC’s Steez has no doubt Radiant still belongs in the conversation of top point guards.
“As a team, we’re just clicking right now. This is the most confident I’ve been all season. We’re looking pretty dangerous right now.” — Magic Gaming’s Reizey had reason to feel good following his team’s third straight victory on Thursday.