Week four is here, with more exciting matchups and series to watch. Check out last week’s Power Rankings as well as the up-to-date standings page for more coverage on this week’s action. Games tonight are viewable on ESPN.com and the ESPN App, as well as the NBA 2K League’s Twitch and YouTube channels.
Bucks Gaming (2-2) vs. Blazer5 Gaming (2-0), 7 p.m. EST
With both Bucks Gaming and Blazer5 Gaming coming off bye weeks, it’ll be interesting to see what each of these two teams took away from their film sessions. For Portland, the footage likely contained a heavy dose of screen time for Milwaukee’s standout rookie Regg.
The talented point guard scored more than 40 points in three of his last four games. If Blazer5 can contain him or force the ball out of his hands, it may be difficult for the Bucks to keep pace.
On the other side, Bucks Gaming doesn’t have a lot of tape on Portland this season, with just two matchups played by Blazer5, but it doesn’t take a lot to know that containing the trio of Mama, Hood and OneWildWalnut will be what’s required to take two of three games in this matchup.
Key Matchup: Squidris vs. OneWildWalnut
We know what we’ll be getting from both teams’ backcourts, but it’ll be interesting to see how Squidris, recently moved to center, handles someone like Walnut who’s highly regarded as one of the best centers in the history of the 2K League (and has the 2018 MVP and DPOY awards to prove it).
Magic Gaming (1-2) vs. Cavs Legion (1-3), 7 p.m. EST
Poor outside shooting plagued Magic Gaming’s backcourt in their series last week against the Jazz, but their recent performance shouldn’t take away from how competitive they have been against quality teams in weeks prior. However, it will be interesting to see if Orlando continues to tinker with their lineup headed into tonight’s game.
Meanwhile, for Cavs Legion, they too are trying to figure out what their ideal roster makeup looks like. With the team not having won a game since their debut on opening night against Pacers Gaming, it makes sense to continue to experiment. JoshJay, the team’s lone pick (No. 59 overall), will make his debut against the Magic. However, with point guard being such a pivotal position, Cleveland needs to find answers soon.
Key Matchup: Reizey vs. Cavs Legion’s point guard
It’s not a make-or-break game for the Cavs, but the team needs to find something in their point guard this game in order to focus on building the rest of the gameplan around whomever that might be.
T-Wolves Gaming (3-1) vs. Mavs Gaming (4-1), 9 p.m. EST
In what should be the matchup of the night, the defending champions will take on a Mavs team that was finally knocked off its undefeated perch last week. After an early miscue against Hawks Talon, T-Wolves Gaming has resumed its momentum from last year’s playoff run in season three.
While Bear is one of the faces of the entire league, this T-Wolves team is most dangerous when it utilizes a balanced attack. In the six games that constitute their three straight series wins, the T-Wolves have had at least three players in double-digit scoring five times, and four players in double digits twice.
Dallas is coming off a back-and-forth series against surging Hornets Venom GT and should be eager to get back to its winning ways. If there is a team that has been just as balanced, it’s this Mavs Gaming roster, capable of producing offensively at all five positions.
Key Matchup: T-Wolves defense vs. Sherm and Dimez
If Minnesota’s team defense can make the Mavs Gaming’s backcourt feel uncomfortable like Hornets Venom GT did, this should end up being a tightly contested three-game series. Fastbreak points will be key for both teams.
Knicks Gaming (2-2) vs. Hornets Venom GT (3-3), 9 p.m. EST
Speaking of the Hornets, they’ll take on an unpredictable Knicks Gaming team that features rookie standouts on both sides of the court. Charlotte has passed the eye test, with convincing wins over several teams and competitive contests against highly ranked teams Wizards District Gaming and Raptors Uprising GC.
For an expansion team, this roster has quickly formed a visible identity. Type leads a pesky defense that swarms every passing lane, which leads to a track meet for their guards. In the half court offensively, they can dissect you from the outside or go inside to Zae and Type.
Meanwhile, Knicks Gaming continues to search for their own ideal formula, having gone through a constant series of ups and downs to open season three. They are coming off an impressive performance against CLTX Gaming, which despite the Celtics’ connectivity issues, proved the Knicks capable of holding their own against a well-respected team.
Key Matchup: Trap vs. Duck
We know Duck will be given the green light to let it fly, but Hornets Venom GT is great at taking away your first option. This could come down to how Duck utilizes his supporting cast in combination with his own scoring prowess.