NBL Oz Gaming Suffers First Loss

Thursday, March 16, 2023

NBL Oz Gaming has lost their first series of the 3x3 SLAM OPEN season, with a record of 3-1.

NBL Oz Gaming has lost their first series of the 3x3 SLAM OPEN season, seeing their season record go to 3-1.

It was looking promising for the Australian side with a 2-1 lead after Game 3, but their opponent Lakers Gaming, were hungrier for the win in their 2023 season debut.

Top scorer of the series and week 1 Player of the Week, Jyden, remained calm in his leadership role and worked with his teammates (DjayTooCold and Lawrich) to develop open looks and easy buckets. But it was clear the Lakers came in with a strong game plan, resulting in NBL’s first ever loss.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">We fall in a thriller to <a href="https://twitter.com/LakersGaming?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@LakersGaming</a>.<br><br>On to the next one. We're back against the Pacers again tomorrow.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DownUnderdogs?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DownUnderdogs</a> <a href="https://t.co/ZQgCBfOxfo">pic.twitter.com/ZQgCBfOxfo</a></p>— NBL Oz Gaming ??? (@nblozgaming) <a href="https://twitter.com/nblozgaming/status/1635839531843981313?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 15, 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 Lakers Gaming

Game 1

Score: W, 17-22

Top scorer: Jyden, 12 points

NBL came out hungry in the first game of the series with a quick 4-0 to start and prompted the Lakers to search for their first bucket.

Active defence and teamwork saw NBL Oz Gaming surge at the end to take out Game 1.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">We take game one of the series 22-17 ?<br><br>Watch live at <a href="https://t.co/oVcnyiVrQe">https://t.co/oVcnyiVrQe</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DownUnderdogs?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DownUnderdogs</a> <a href="https://t.co/OIuMDXW6Rq">pic.twitter.com/OIuMDXW6Rq</a></p>— NBL Oz Gaming ??? (@nblozgaming) <a href="https://twitter.com/nblozgaming/status/1635826041934745600?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 15, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Game 2

Score: L, 14-21

Top scorer: Jyden, 12 points

Game 2 of the series was arguably the weakest yet for NBL. The team struggled with shooting accuracy, and failed to find a rhythm on the offensive end.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Lakers take Game 2?<br><br>Series tied 1-1. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DownUnderdogs?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DownUnderdogs</a> <a href="https://t.co/gwHPOJoRKZ">pic.twitter.com/gwHPOJoRKZ</a></p>— NBL Oz Gaming ??? (@nblozgaming) <a href="https://twitter.com/nblozgaming/status/1635829051695972354?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 15, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Game 3

Score: W, 22-15

Top scorer: Jyden, 20 points

NBL bounced back from a sore Game 2 to take out their second win of the series in Game 3. Jyden's performance created nothing but open looks and buckets falling.

The team showcased confidence in their third game of the series, allowing them to lead by four points and closing out the game with a 7-point win.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Jyden shot that from Sydney ?<br><br>He ices it, and we take a 2-1 lead in the series.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DownUnderdogs?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DownUnderdogs</a> <a href="https://t.co/aCBW35DuKH">pic.twitter.com/aCBW35DuKH</a></p>— NBL Oz Gaming ??? (@nblozgaming) <a href="https://twitter.com/nblozgaming/status/1635832298779344896?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 15, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Game 4

Score: L, 19-22

Top scorer: Jyden, 11 points

This is the first time the NBL heads into Game 5 of a series. NBL Oz Gaming started off strong with Lawrich stealing the ball and putting down a two.

This game cemented Lawrich’s role within the team and we can see that he is starting to know what works by finding the open space and delivering.

The team did well to level the game, NBL were down 16-19 but a massive three created the chance for them to take out the win. Lakers were then quick to retaliate and secure the win.

Game 5

Score: L, 22-17

Top scorer: Stats N/A

Game 5 was the closest game of the season so far for NBL, with both teams not looking for the three ball. Towards the end of the game, one three-pointer was finally attempted from the Lakers which created confidence for them to push for the win.

Rebounding was the teams’ weakest link in this game, with the Lakers scoring that final bucket to win the series.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The week 1 POTW <a href="https://twitter.com/JydenMS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JydenMS</a> of <a href="https://twitter.com/nblozgaming?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@nblozgaming</a> get's started where he left off?<br><br>?: <a href="https://t.co/v1LLynxNVO">https://t.co/v1LLynxNVO</a> <a href="https://t.co/XRh7r8Tmqq">pic.twitter.com/XRh7r8Tmqq</a></p>— NBA 2K League (@NBA2KLeague) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBA2KLeague/status/1635824163431632897?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 15, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

NBL Oz Gaming will be back on Thursday 16/3 for a double header against Pacers Gaming and Raptors Uprising GC. The first series of the day against Pacers Gaming tips-off at 9:45am AEDT.

You can watch the games on the NBA 2K League Twitch and YouTube channels.