Week 2 Recap: Warriors Gaming Squad Sustains Hot Start with Sweeps
May 18, 2020
Two weeks down, two more wins down. Warriors Gaming Squad is 4-0 to open the 2020 NBA 2K League season (the best start in team history) after two more sweeps in week two. WGS brushed 76ers GC and Cavs Legion GC under the rug with stifling defensive performances, allowing just 50.7 points per game throughout the week and setting some team records en route to 4-0.
Runners-up Swept Up
Game 1: WGS 73, 76ers GC 57
Game 2: WGS 74, 76ers GC 43
2019 runners-up 76ers GC, fresh off two tough losses to open the season, came out hot, scoring the first 11 points of the series in the first quarter of game one. It was all WGS from there, however, as the team allowed just 11 points per quarter for the remaining seven quarters of the series. The Warriors Gaming Squad backcourt, CB13 and Bsmoove, combined to outscore 76ers GC for the series, with CB13 averaging 39.5 points and Bsmoove adding 19 points per game. The WGS defense allowed just 43 points in game two of the series, matching 76ers GCâs lowest-ever regular season output. With the win, WGS moved to 3-0 in the regular season for the first time in team history; the squad started 0-3 in 2018 and 2-1 in 2019.
.@CB13 averaged 39 PPG on Wednesday night as @WarriorsGaming improved to 3-0 on the season.
Watch the highlights from his dominant performance! đ¤ pic.twitter.com/rPuWbTd1N3
— NBA 2K League (@NBA2KLeague) May 14, 2020
Defense Stifles Incoming Legion
Game 1: WGS 61, Cavs Legion 56
Game 2: WGS 61, Cavs Legion 47
Whereas the offense made noise against 76ers GC, the defense carried the day against Cavs Legion GC in Warriors Gamingâs first âhome gameâ of the season. The squad engaged in two back-and-forth battles with the Legion, who moved third-year veteran Doza to point guard for the first time this season. WGS scored the final five points in game 1 after entering the final minute tied at 56, with the win cemented by a game-clinching offensive rebound by Slaughter with seconds to play. The defense shut the door in the game two, as WGS outscored Cavs Legion by 13 points in the second half. Slaughter continued his stellar run of play, recording double-doubles in both games, averaging 16 rebounds during the series.
đĄď¸ DEFENSE đĄď¸ pic.twitter.com/NwpHcBCQqk
— Warriors Gaming (@WarriorsGaming) May 16, 2020
âIâm happy with how we came into week two,â Head Coach Mike Newton said. âWe were focused, we executed the game plan, and it resulted in two wins. We definitely grew as a unit and we are looking to carry that momentum into week three.â
Records Smashed, Records Set
2020 first-round pick Slaughter had a series to remember against 76ers GC. The WGS center hauled in 44 rebounds across the seriesâ two games, including a record-setting 26-rebound performance in game two. The 26 rebounds are the second-highest tally in league history (the league record is 29) and are a personal best for Slaughter, who played for Jazz Gaming in season one. It was one of three personal bests for Slaughter in the series: he set individual highs in assists (7) and blocks (6), while tying his career-best in steals (6), during the 76ers GC series. Both the rebounds and blocks are team records for Warriors Gaming.
15.5 PPG
16 RPG
3 BPG@malikleisinger was in BEAST mode on Friday night! đ¤ pic.twitter.com/V9CJkWgnww— NBA 2K League (@NBA2KLeague) May 16, 2020
âIt was a tough series, since we knew going in that they were going to give us their best shot,â Slaughter noted modestly. âThatâs a tough defense to pick apart, but with how aggressive their defense is it opens up the chance for offensive boards, so I knew Iâd get plenty of opportunities to control the glass and get some second-chance opportunities for our squad.â
The schedule will cool down for Warriors Gaming Squad in week three, with Lakers Gaming figuratively coming to town on Tuesday, May 19, before a bye week in week four.