NBL Oz Gaming Bounces Back After Tough Defeat

Thursday, March 23, 2023

NBL Oz Gaming is still alive in the 3x3 SLAM Open after Wednesday's defeat to Gamers First (G1) Longhorns on Wednesday.

After suffering the 3-1 loss to G1 the 'Down Under Dogs' redeemed themsleves with a 3-1 win over the Blazer5 Gaming team, allowing them to remain in the hunt for the SLAM Open title in their first season in the NBA 2K League.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Some survived, some are going home! These lower bracket matchups did not disappoint!<br><br>Tune in tomorrow at 6pm/et on <a href="https://t.co/IWibnYP9k4">https://t.co/IWibnYP9k4</a> for upper bracket action! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBA2KL3v3?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBA2KL3v3</a> <a href="https://t.co/8yrpwTLzbl">pic.twitter.com/8yrpwTLzbl</a></p>— NBA 2K League (@NBA2KLeague) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBA2KLeague/status/1638724639894523904?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 23, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

See Below a Breakdown of Each Game

NBL Oz Gaming x G1 Longhorns

Game 1

Score: W, 23-12

Top scorer: Jyden, 14 points

NBL Oz Gaming came out strong in the first game of the series. Jyden led the pack to help the side emerge with a comfortable 11-point win.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">1-0 to the Rooz ?<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DownUnderdogs?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DownUnderdogs</a> <a href="https://t.co/rIRS5hhFGE">pic.twitter.com/rIRS5hhFGE</a></p>— NBL Oz Gaming ??? (@nblozgaming) <a href="https://twitter.com/nblozgaming/status/1638350171615686656?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 22, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Game 2

Score: L, 8-22

Top scorer: Jyden and Lawrich, 4 points

The G1 Longhorns domintated NBL Oz in Game 2 and surged out to a nine-point lead halfway through the clash. They assert themselves on the contest and ended up with a 14-point win.

For the first time this season, Jyden and Lawrich both top-scored with four points each.

Game 3

Score: L, 21-23

Top scorer: Jyden, 14 points

G1 lead by 2-1 in Game 3. NBL picked up their pace to even out the score, but the Interceptors took the win in the final basket.

NBL Oz rebounded to force Game 3 to the final possession, but G1 held its nerve to secure the winning bucket.

Game 4

Score: L, 20-22

Top scorer: Jyden, 9 points

NBL Oz almost forced a fifth and deciding game in the series, but another two point loss relegated them to a series defeat.

Lawrich put in one of his best individual showings since joining NBL Oz, but the side couldn't get over the line.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">We fall to the G1 Longhorns, but the tournament isn't over for us as we continue in the losers bracket.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DownUnderdogs?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DownUnderdogs</a> <a href="https://t.co/LlMNtflRc1">pic.twitter.com/LlMNtflRc1</a></p>— NBL Oz Gaming ??? (@nblozgaming) <a href="https://twitter.com/nblozgaming/status/1638357692527034368?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 22, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

NBL Oz Gaming x Blazer5 Gaming

Game 1

Score: W, 19-21

Top scorer: DjayTooCold, 9 points

DjayTooCold was a dominant force in the paint in the first clash with Blazer5 Gaming. He top scored for NBL Oz and pulled in four rebounds in a hotly-contested two-point win.

Lawrich scored the final bucket in what developed into something of a chess match to secure the 1-0 series lead.

Game 2

Score: W, 21-17

Top scorer: Jyden, 11 points

The NBL Oz trio once again held their nerve in a narrow victory, and it was Lawrich who stepped up and put in a starring performance this time around.

He added seven points and pulled in one board, while Jyden once again led the scoring to put his side in a strong series position.

Game 3

Score: L, 22-18

Top scorer: Jyden, 13 points

Blazer5 Gaming threw everything at NBL Oz in the third game of the series, knowing only a win would keep them alive in the contest.

A final possession three secured the victory for the side, but Jyden was once again a scoring force with 13 of his team's 18 points.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/JydenMS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JydenMS</a> with the tough lay as <a href="https://twitter.com/nblozgaming?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@nblozgaming</a> is looking to send home <a href="https://twitter.com/blazer5gaming?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@blazer5gaming</a> with another win!<br><br>?: <a href="https://t.co/v1LLynylLm">https://t.co/v1LLynylLm</a> <a href="https://t.co/NczNFeDkWV">pic.twitter.com/NczNFeDkWV</a></p>— NBA 2K League (@NBA2KLeague) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBA2KLeague/status/1638716609148903425?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 23, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Game 4

Score: W, 22-16

Top scorer: Jyden, 12 points

In their last hopes of closing out this series with a win, NBL came out in full force with contribution from all three players.

In the hopes of avoiding a decisive Game 5, NBL Oz came out in full force and swept aside Blazer5 in the fourth game of the series.

DjayTooCold and Lawrich were both at their best in support of Jyden's offensive output. The scorer once again led the side offensively with 12 points.

The series win over Blzaer5 Gaming has set up a next round clash between the loser of Pistons GT and Bucks Gaming.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">That's more like it.<br><br>We're still alive in the SLAM OPEN with a win over <a href="https://twitter.com/blazer5gaming?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@blazer5gaming</a>. We'll face the loser of Bucks vs Pistons ?<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DownUnderdogs?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DownUnderdogs</a> <a href="https://t.co/aNNJ9uFFdF">pic.twitter.com/aNNJ9uFFdF</a></p>— NBL Oz Gaming ??? (@nblozgaming) <a href="https://twitter.com/nblozgaming/status/1638716705299120129?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 23, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Watch NBL Oz Gaming on the NBA 2K League Twitch and YouTube channels.