Week 2 Thrillers: Wolves vs Hornets 2OT, Suns vs Hornets Wild Finish & The Wolves 20 Point Comeback

All season long we’ve been talking about how much more competitive LGBA is this season compared to prior ones. And week 2 proved us right. There are 3 games in specific that I want to talk about and review. These games feature contenders such as the Wolves and Mavs, but also teams like the Suns and Hornets who are trying to climb their way up the standings. So let’s get into it.


Close Game #1: Wolves: 92 vs Hornets: 89 (2OT)


The first quarter of this game was one of runs. The Wolves started out hot, with Ching hitting his first 3 3’s to put the wolves in the early lead halfway through the quarter, 15-10. But, the Hornets came back and went on a little run of their own to earn a 23-20 lead at the end of 1. CTWICEE led the Hornets with 10 points on a perfect 5/5 shooting line. Quarter number 2 was all about the PG’s, Jig and CTWICEE. Both guards got takeover and went back and forth the entire way. At halftime, the score was 40-39, CHA. We knew we were in for a good one. The third quarter was all Hornets. They had team takeover for all but about 30 seconds of the quarter. Jig was missing, and they took advantage of it, as they went into the 4th with a 60-53 lead. But in the 4th, the Wolves showed us what they’re all about. 2 clutch 3’s and multiple clutch defensive plays from Ching allowed SOF to tie the game with a dunk. 68-68. We need overtime. In OT, the Wolves had a 5 point lead with just over a minute to go. But, went multiple possessions with no bucket. They found themselves only up 1 now, with the ball, about 30 seconds left. Jig runs down the clock, pulls up with 12 seconds left. All. Net. Wolves up 4, 11 seconds to go, and they are in control. But, it wasn’t over. CTWICEE catches a quick oop to cut the lead to 2. They intentionally foul Jig. Jig makes the first, but misses the second. CHA ball now, down 3, a chance to tie and send this to double overtime and keep their hopes of slaying the undefeated Wolves alive. CTWICEE gets it on the left hash, dribbles to the middle, and finds a wide open Vega who has just dexed Jig on the right hash. Green light. Tie game. We need another overtime. In double OT, the Wolves and Hornets found themselves in a similar spot as the first OT. Jig on the line. Up 2. He misses the first, makes the second. CHA down 3 again, 0.6 on the clock, needing a quick 3 to tie the game. Juice finds a semi open Vega on the hash. Vega had produced clutch shots all game, but not this time. The shot rims out, Wolves win an instant classic.



Takeaways:



Wolves: They can win even when Jig is struggling. That’s scary. They are also timely players who make timely plays. Jig always gets a bucket when it’s needed, Ching always gets a stop when it is needed, and SOF always comes up with the offfensive rebound when the team is in trouble.



Hornets: After a subpar week 1, the first line showed they can compete like we thought they could. Vega looks like a legitimate hash shooter & CTWICEE continues to improve. I expect big things from this team in the future.


Close Game #2: Suns: 74 vs Hornets: 73


A battle between two teams trying to find their way was a lot more entertaining then one would think. After starting the 1st quarter down 8-0, the Hornets got it together and trailed only by 2, 17-15, at the end of 1. Q2 was all Hornets. The Suns defense was abysmal and CHA capitalized, as they went into the half up 10, led by CTWICEE’s 11 & 6. Quarter 3 was pretty back and forth, with a late PHX layup cutting the Hornets lead to 5, with a quarter to go. In quarter 4, Holdmybeer went off and cut the deficit to 1 with 21 seconds to go. They needed to foul now with the shot clock off. Or did they? M15 gets the ball on the inbound, and forces an ill advised pass to CTWICEE. MikeyG comes up with the steal, and PHX has taken the lead. 74-73. With the game on the line, Phoenix gives CTWICEE and the Hornets no good look, and they complete the comeback win on an incredible defensive play from MikeyG.



Takeaways:



Hornets: They look inconsistent. In the above game I said they look like they can contend, and I still do believe that. It’s just about how often they can contend.



Suns: These guys have some good chemistry. The party is always calm, with everyone communicating what we needs to be done, especially when they were down. This togetherness could help them down the road.


Close Game #3: Wolves: 68 vs Mavs: 59


To save all of us some time, I’m going to fast forward to the 4:52 mark of the third quarter. The situation: Wolves down 40-20. Let’s find out how they pull this off. In the third quarter, it was the defense. Numerous blocks and steals allowed the offense to go out into transition and make plays. The 3rd quarter score was 19-13, and the Wolves now found themselves only down 11 with 1 quarter to go. The 4th quarter was well, not even close. Tee took over (literally and metaphorically), and the Wolves outscored the Mavs 29-9. Yes, they outscored them by 20 points in one quarter. The same amount the Mavs were up with 4:52 left in the third. Just when you think this team is beatable, they put up a near 30 piece in the 4th quarter of a close game. What a comeback.



Takeaways:



Wolves: Too good.



Mavs: Second line looks solid. I don’t know if they fell asleep in the second half, or simply got outplayed. I think it was a mix of both. But either way, this team has looked solid other than the second half of this game