In their second double header of the season, NBL Oz Gaming fell short in their first series, but were quick to bounce back and win the second.
NBL faced two teams they had already defeated this season, with both Pacers Gaming and Raptors Uprising GC out in full force to retaliate.
In the first series of the day, we saw Jyden lose his scoring momentum which resulted in Lawrich and DjayTooCold top score. NBL found their feet too late in the game and handed over the series win to Pacers Gaming, 3-2.
Having won against Raptors Uprising GC last week, NBL maintained its dominance of the Raptors with a 3-0 sweep. A shoutout goes to Lawrich, who stepped up in the back court and starred in the double header.
<html><head></head><body><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en">BOUNCE ?<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DownUnderdogs?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DownUnderdogs</a> <a href="https://t.co/xvNyizoJC9">pic.twitter.com/xvNyizoJC9</a></p>— NBL Oz Gaming ??? (@nblozgaming) <a href="https://twitter.com/nblozgaming/status/1636179296892096512?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 16, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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See Below a Breakdown of Each Game
NBL Oz Gaming x Pacers Gaming
Game 1
Score: L, 23-20
Top scorer: Jyden, 9 points
Coming off the back of their first series loss yesterday, NBL Oz Gaming were quick to match the energy of the Pacers.
Pacers Gaming stuck with a clear defensive strategy of man-on-man, and at 20-20, a three from Pacers saw them close out the game.
Game 2
Score: L, 22-17
Top scorer: Lawrich, 11 points
The Pacers weren’t giving NBL any spaces for open looks which meant Jyden was searching for space to shoot.
Top scorer Lawrich found himself not being able to shoot from three but redeemed himself with strong movement and scoring twos.
<html><head></head><body><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en">Needed that. <br><br>We get the win but trail 2-1 in the series.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DownUnderdogs?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DownUnderdogs</a> <a href="https://t.co/H9RGLSZsSb">pic.twitter.com/H9RGLSZsSb</a></p>— NBL Oz Gaming ??? (@nblozgaming) <a href="https://twitter.com/nblozgaming/status/1636145761523240960?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 15, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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Game 3
Score: W, 22-14
Top scorer: Jyden, 12 points
NBL came out stronger in Game 3, with massive threes from Jyden and points across the board from each player.
The NBL managed to find space which was a clear struggle in the first two games, while DjayTooCold hit a three-pointer and found his confidence within the game.
Game 4
Score: W, 21-14
Top scorer: Jyden, 14 points
NBL has found their momentum in this series, forcing a decisive Game 5.
Jyden dominated the game with 14 points and was back to his effective ways on offence.
<html><head></head><body><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en">?? GAME 5?<br><br>We're all tied up in the series at 2-2. Tune in via Command Centre at <a href="https://t.co/oVcnyiVrQe">https://t.co/oVcnyiVrQe</a> now<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DownUnderdogs?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DownUnderdogs</a> <a href="https://t.co/wWyFVFtnsE">pic.twitter.com/wWyFVFtnsE</a></p>— NBL Oz Gaming ??? (@nblozgaming) <a href="https://twitter.com/nblozgaming/status/1636148108932558848?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 15, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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Game 5
Score: L, 22-17
Top scorer: DjayTooCold, 7 points
After falling in a deciding game yesterday, the NBL fell short in a Game 5 again.
NBL Oz Gaming strengthened their offensive rebounds but weren’t able to pull through with shots. Overall, a lack of communication within the series saw the Pacers take out the win.
<html><head></head><body><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en">Fought till the end. <br><br>We go down in Game 5 to the Pacers and lose the series 2-3.<br><br>We're back on court later today against the Raptors at 12pm AEDT (9pm ET).<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DownUnderdogs?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DownUnderdogs</a> <a href="https://t.co/1fHKagQzTa">pic.twitter.com/1fHKagQzTa</a></p>— NBL Oz Gaming ??? (@nblozgaming) <a href="https://twitter.com/nblozgaming/status/1636150675628527617?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 15, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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NBL Oz Gaming x Raptors Uprising GC
Game 1
Score: W, 22-15
Top scorer: Jyden, 16 points
Lawrich has become a key player in the back court for NBL, gaining turnovers and staying in front of his opposition.
Jyden closed the game out with a massive three and top scored with 16 points.
<html><head></head><body><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en">This <a href="https://twitter.com/nblozgaming?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@nblozgaming</a> ball movement?<br><br>NBL OZ takes a 1-0 series lead!<br><br>?: <a href="https://t.co/v1LLynxNVO">https://t.co/v1LLynxNVO</a> <a href="https://t.co/L7pMhUy2ts">pic.twitter.com/L7pMhUy2ts</a></p>— NBA 2K League (@NBA2KLeague) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBA2KLeague/status/1636174159381159937?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 16, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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Game 2
Score: W, 23-18
Top scorer: Lawrich, 12 points
Active hands on defence has become a key strategy for NBL Oz Gaming, helping them cause chaos on the defensive end. The NBL started dominating the game with their shots falling, leading to a 2-0 lead in the series.
The Raptors seemed to focus on Jyden and dropped their defence on Lawrich, giving NBL the opportunity to win the game.
<html><head></head><body><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en">Brooms.<br><br>We end the day with a 3-0 series sweep over <a href="https://twitter.com/RaptorsGC?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RaptorsGC</a>. The bounce back was real ?<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DownUnderdogs?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DownUnderdogs</a> <a href="https://t.co/KpyOSG908t">pic.twitter.com/KpyOSG908t</a></p>— NBL Oz Gaming ??? (@nblozgaming) <a href="https://twitter.com/nblozgaming/status/1636179681161666560?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 16, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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Game 3
Score: W, 21-14
Top scorer: DjayTooCold, 14 points
A 3-0 win for NBL could not have closed out this double header any better.
The Aussie team were strong and DjayTooCold knew where he was headed, found the open spaces and put down threes on repeat.
<html><head></head><body><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en">Things you can count on: the Rooz bouncing back<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DownUnderdogs?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DownUnderdogs</a> <a href="https://t.co/CbKLvYYyLb">pic.twitter.com/CbKLvYYyLb</a></p>— NBL Oz Gaming ??? (@nblozgaming) <a href="https://twitter.com/nblozgaming/status/1636181499115618304?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 16, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></body></html>
Catch more NBL Oz Gaming action tomorrow when they face the Nets GC for the second time and a 1-0 winning record.
You can watch the games on the NBA 2K League Twitch and YouTube channels.
