It has been a historic day for the NBL Oz Gaming team, bringing home two series wins in their first day of action in the NBA 2K League.
The NBL side took down Raptors Uprising GC and Pacers Gaming in two best-of-five game series in the 3v3 SLAM OPEN event.
A common denominator across both series was NBL Oz Gaming taking a while to find their feet, losing both Game 1s, but once they got going, they soared through the remaining games to win both series in four.
Guaranteed to be one of the league’s best this season, Jyden dominated the day with a combined 114 points across both series, proving himself as a threat for all teams to look out for this season.
<html><head></head><body><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en">We're taking you inside the room and behind the scenes on our first ever <a href="https://twitter.com/NBA2KLeague?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NBA2KLeague</a> win ??<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DownUnderdogs?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DownUnderdogs</a> <a href="https://t.co/gcdQfrBFzI">pic.twitter.com/gcdQfrBFzI</a></p>— NBL Oz Gaming ??? (@nblozgaming) <a href="https://twitter.com/nblozgaming/status/1633636599694073856?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 9, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></body></html>
See below a breakdown of each game:
NBL Oz Gaming x Raptors Uprising GC
Game 1
Score: L, 20-22
Top scorer: Jyden, 12 points
A slow start for the NBL team saw them fall short and lose by just one basket.
All players scored across the board, but an unfortunate late turnover from DjayTooCold saw the Raptors take the win.
<html><head></head><body><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en">History ? <a href="https://t.co/7meAHeKPxm">https://t.co/7meAHeKPxm</a></p>— NBL Oz Gaming ??? (@nblozgaming) <a href="https://twitter.com/nblozgaming/status/1633632915174088704?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 9, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></body></html>
Game 2
Score: W, 21-14
Top scorer: Jyden, 10 points
NBL Oz Gaming were quick to make some impactful adjustments with a seven-point win. Jyden closed the game with a three-point game winner.
Game 3
Score: W, 22-16
Top scorer: Jyden, 19 points
A six-point win was energised by some strong defence, forcing the Raptors to slow down and struggle. Jyden led the team with authority and dominated the game with 19 points.
DjayTooCold secured NBL’s win with a three-pointer.
<html><head></head><body><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en">First match up, first win ??<br><br>We take our first ever <a href="https://twitter.com/NBA2KLeague?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NBA2KLeague</a> series over the Raptors 3-1. Next up, <a href="https://twitter.com/PacersGaming?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PacersGaming</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DownUnderdogs?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DownUnderdogs</a> <a href="https://t.co/CjJ9fP634h">pic.twitter.com/CjJ9fP634h</a></p>— NBL Oz Gaming ??? (@nblozgaming) <a href="https://twitter.com/nblozgaming/status/1633629901583417344?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 9, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></body></html>
Game 4
Score: W, 21-17
Top scorer: Lawrich, 8 points
Lawrich stepped up and top scored with eight points and a three-point game winner to secure the series.
Five assists from Jyden and two rebounds from DjayTooCold helped the team to their history making win.
<html><head></head><body><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en">We're on the board in the <a href="https://twitter.com/NBA2KLeague?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NBA2KLeague</a> ?<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DownUnderdogs?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DownUnderdogs</a> <a href="https://t.co/QamVLWLWdw">pic.twitter.com/QamVLWLWdw</a></p>— NBL Oz Gaming ??? (@nblozgaming) <a href="https://twitter.com/nblozgaming/status/1633631049732222978?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 9, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></body></html>
NBL Oz Gaming x Pacers Gaming
Game 1
Score: L, 18-13
Top scorer: Jyden, 11 points
A new opponent and a nervous NBL Oz Gaming team saw another poor start to their five-game series.
Game 2
Score: W, 21-19
Top scorer: Jyden, 16 points
A three-point shot from Jyden secured their first victory of the series.
It seems that once the first game is complete, the NBL team recognises the opponents next moves to then step up, adjust, and respond.
<html><head></head><body><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en">? ANOTHER ONE<br><br>We end the day with a second series win, getting up 3-1 over the Pacers.<br><br>Next up, <a href="https://twitter.com/NetsGamingCrew?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NetsGamingCrew</a> on Saturday AEDT (Friday ET) ? <a href="https://t.co/QGwYMj8Jig">pic.twitter.com/QGwYMj8Jig</a></p>— NBL Oz Gaming ??? (@nblozgaming) <a href="https://twitter.com/nblozgaming/status/1633663034068459520?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 9, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></body></html>
Game 3
Score: W, 22-12
Top scorer: Jyden, 19 points
NBL scored their first double-digit victory with a 22-12 win, another history making moment for the club.
Yet again, Jyden led the game for the Australian side.
Game 4
Score: W, 22-17
Top scorer: Jyden, 20 points
Jyden excelled with a season-high 20 points in the bag. NBL Oz Gaming closed out the series with a nail-biting win, ending a strong first day on the sticks.
