Blazer5 clears week 2 schedule unscathed

Blazer5 Gaming opened the season Tuesday against the 1-1 Pacers Gaming in a showdown between two potent offenses. Game 1 started out close, as Blazer5 Gaming took a 36-30 lead heading into halftime, thanks to 2K League leading scorer Mama Im Dat Man, who piled up 18 points in the first half on his way to a game-leading 31. Blazer5 Gaming led by four entering the final frame, but Pacers Gaming used a 20-point fourth quarter to come up victorious. Swizurk powered Pacers Gaming to the win by scoring 20 of his 24 points in the second half. Point guard BOHIO chipped in 12 points and nine dimes, NateKahl added 15 of his own, and elite rebounding center, WoLF, double-doubled thanks to 10 points and 15 boards. For Blazer5 Gaming, Mama Im Dat Man added nine assists to his high-scoring performance, while center OneWildWalnut recorded a 15-point, 18-rebound double-double to go with two each of assists, blocks and steals.

Game 2 was a game of quarters, as Pacers Gaming got the early edge on a 19-8 first quarter. Blazer5 Gaming responded with a 19-9 second quarter to cut the deficit to just one point at the break. A solid third quarter gave Blazer5 Gaming a one-point edge before a decisive fourth quarter. Up 59-54 with just under a minute to play, Blazer5 Gaming used a long rebound and three steals to score eight quick transition points and win the game 67-54 – a final score not indicative of the tightly-contested nature of the matchup. Mama Im Dat Man led all scorers again, knocking in 25 to go with six assists, and OneWildWalnut made his presence known with 21 points and 16 rebounds.

Game 3 started much the same as the first two games, with a tight 32-28 score at halftime with Blazer5 Gaming on top. Pacers Gaming cut the lead to one going into the fourth quarter, but Blazer5 Gaming used a big 32-point final frame to capture the decisive match with a final score of 79-69. The usual suspects were at it again, as Mama Im Dat Man erupted for 38 points to lead all scorers. OneWildWalnut provided 13 points and 16 boards while Hood and MJes7ic each contributed 11 points.

On Thursday, Lakers Gaming got off to a slow start in the first quarter of Game 1 as they fell behind 21-13, but they managed to cut Blazer5 Gaming’s lead down to one point by the end of the third quarter. The Lakers were able to mostly keep pace with Blazer5 Gaming over the final quarter, but Blazer5 delivered from the charity stripe down the stretch to pick up a 76-73 win.

Mama Im Dat Man was productive in Game 1 with 38 points and eight assists, and Blazer5 Gaming also got important contributions from OneWildWalnut (14 points, 16 rebounds, five blocks) and Hood (12 points, three assists).

The teams remained locked into a close matchup during Game 2, entering halftime tied 40-40. Lakers Gaming picked up a one-point lead heading into the fourth quarter, but Blazer5 Gaming’s defensive stand during the final quarter gave them a 68-62 win to complete the sweep.

Mama Im Dat Man had several cold stretches over the second half of Game 2, but he still managed to lead Blazer5 Gaming to victory with 29 points and seven assists. He got key assistance from the rest of the team, notably Hood (17 points, two steals) and OneWildWalnut (13 points, nine rebounds, four blocks). SAV had a monster performance for Lakers Gaming, recording 46 points, three assists and one rebound, but he also committed 10 turnovers while his teammates only combined for 16 points as Portland’s defense was too much to overcome.