Headlined by the Wizards DG vs. Hornets Venom game of the week, the NBA 2K League is back on ESPN2 for the first time on a Friday. Check out last night’s roundup as well as the up-to-date standings page for more coverage on this week’s action. Games tonight are also viewable on ESPN.com and the ESPN App, as well as the NBA 2K League’s Twitch and YouTube channels.
Grizz Gaming (0-3) vs. Kings Guard Gaming (2-2)
The Grizz, sitting at 0-3, have nothing working in their favor so far this season. Vandi struggled in last night’s series, missing 20 shots alone in game two (12/32), while turning the ball over four times. If it wasn’t for a strong showing from off-ball scorer Jrod (23 points on 8/13 shooting), Memphis might have gotten 20-pieced in consecutive games. Tonight, the team will turn its attention to rookie star-in-the-making Bash and Kings Guard Gaming.
The Kings are coming off of a week in which they took the Mavs, one of the better teams in the league, to three games. Bash and co. also took down the expansion team Gen.G last week, and currently sit 2-2 on the season. Bash, like his point guard counterpart tonight, struggled with efficiency, shooting 21/50 in the Mavs series. He’ll look to correct his shot timing while still dishing dimes to his teammates as the Kings take on Grizz Gaming tonight.
Key Matchup: Vandi vs. Bash
We discussed it above, but Vandi simply must play better point guard for the Grizz team to be successful. Tonight he needs to match—and ideally, for the Grizz, exceed—the production of Kings primary ball-handler Bash.
Heat Check Gaming (1-4) vs. Jazz Gaming (1-0)
Heat Check Gaming is on the board in the win column, finally. GlennRatty was a bucket last night, averaging 38 points per game, while still largely avoiding the three-point-line. The NBA 2K League’s very own not-quite-Ben Simmons was in the zone, getting to the rack and finishing on opposing defenders all series against the Grizz. Miami, with a less-than-stellar 1-4 record, looks to build on their first win in tonight’s face off with Jazz Gaming.
What more can you ask for from your No. 10 overall pick in his debut? Splashy hit the go-ahead-bucket with under eight seconds remaining in game one to clinch a Utah victory. He followed up that performance with a game two double-double, scoring 11 points and recording 11 assists. Between their rookie’s strong showing and Ria’s dominance (23 points, 19 rebounds in game two) down low, the Jazz should have all the confidence in the world heading into their matchup against Heat Check Gaming tonight.
Key Matchup: Momentum vs. Momentum
Both teams picked up momentum in their respective series last night; who can continue to ride that momentum to a second win?
Celtics Crossover Gaming (0-0) vs. Knicks Gaming (1-2)
Celtics Crossover Gaming was expected to make its season debut last night but had some technical issues, so here we are. The Celtics, led by Fab and Mel East, tinkered with its roster in the offseason. The team traded for shooting guard Easy from Miami and drafted TooCool (former Blazer5 member and Fab’s Pro-Am center) after retaining the tight-knit group of Fab, Mel, Bulleyy, and No Autographs. The moves make for an experienced, talented roster that hopes to begin its march back to the playoffs against the Knicks.
The Knicks have had mixed results during the 2020 season. Duck has been inconsistent at best, but Malik seems to be enjoying the small forward three-level scorer build, shooting 10-for-13 on three-pointers during the Raptors series. Ultimately, the Knicks did get swept by the powerhouse Raptors roster, and will look to turn around their two-game losing streak against the Celtics tonight.
Key Matchup: BigRim vs. oFab
Welcome to the league rook, now go guard one of the best to ever do it in your fourth career matchup. Good luck containing the perennial MVP candidate tonight, BigRim.
Hornets Venom GT (3-1) vs. Wizards District Gaming (3-1)
Going into their matchup with the Mavs, the Hornets lacked an impressive win to add to their resume. Beating lackluster teams such as the Cavs and 76ers is what good teams should do. To prove elite status, you must beat elite competition, and Charlotte did just that earlier this week by besting previously-undefeated Mavs Gaming. The Hornets can look forward to more elite competition from the Wizards in week three’s Matchup of the Week.
Wizards DG has gotten off to its own 3-1 season start, led by the deadly duo Dayfri and JBM. Dayfri is coming off of a monstrous performance against Ramo and the Pistons where he averaged 14 points and 18 rebounds. JBM, this year’s No. 1 overall pick, is improving each match, proving to be worth his high draft selection. The Wizards take on another defensive-minded opponent tonight in Hornets Venom GT, looking to bolster their league-fewest points allowed per game.
Key Matchup: Type vs. Dayfri
These are two top-three centers, and we get to see an entertaining battle of the bigs tonight. We saw Type out-play PeteBeBallin in the Mavs series; can he do the same against Dayfri and co.?
