NetsGC makes its long-awaited debut tonight while other teams battle it out to help turn their seasons around. Games tonight are viewable on ESPN2, ESPN.com and the ESPN App, as well as the NBA 2K League’s Twitch and YouTube channels
Pacers Gaming (2-3) vs. Pistons GT (1-2), 7 p.m. ET
Last time out, we saw the Pacers Gaming squad trot out a new-look double lock lineup. In return, Indianapolis’ defense smothered an already struggling Sixers offense en route to a series sweep. Wolf and NateKahl on lockdown defender builds is a scary sight for opposing offenses. No. 4 overall pick Bohio is quietly improving every week, despite what you may see on Twitter. Tonight, Pacers Gaming takes on a Pistons GT team which found life of its own experimenting with lineups that go against the meta.
Those Pistons replicated the double lock lineup and found success of their own. After dropping their first two series, the team brought in LykaPro off of the bench to run the offense at point guard, while shuffling DemonJT and Charger to lockdown builds. This lineup change allowed Ramo to bring out a fully loaded offensive weapon at the four spot: the three-level playmaker build. Ramo, back on his classic post-scoring archetype, shined to the tune of 25 points per game in Detroit’s series against the Lakers. Tonight, the team will square off against an eerily similar lineup from Pacers Gaming.
Key Matchup: Ramo vs. Swizurk
While these players will run at the four, both will need to make significant offensive contributions for their team to win. Expect this series to have a defensive, grit ‘n’ grind, feel to it. Which primary scorer can manage to score efficiently while facing a tough defense?
Nets GC (0-0) vs. Mavs Gaming (4-2), 7 p.m. ET
Mavs Gaming is coming off a brutal beatdown at the hands of the reigning champion T-Wolves Gaming. Through three weeks, Dallas looked to be one of the elite teams this league had to offer. Dimez and Sherm make for a lethal backcourt duo, and with PeteBeBallin manning the paint, this team is an all-around matchup nightmare (unless your team has BearDaBeast, JMoney and Feast). Mavs Gaming looks to regain momentum against an advantageous matchup: taking on the debuting NetsGC.
The moment NetsGC fans have all been waiting for. After a Rando suspension that nobody saw coming, NetsGC was forced to delay its 2020 season debut. On Tuesday, Brooklyn filled its final roster spot with Chess, a talented shooting guard that many felt should have been drafted in February. Ninth overall pick Choc will make his long-awaited NBA 2K League debut along with the remainder of his 2020 rookie class, Randomz, Potts and Chess.
Key Matchup: Dallas Veterans vs. Nets Inexperience
As I mentioned above, NetsGC will debut four rookies tonight. Mavs Gaming has a trio of talented veterans (Dimez, Sherm, Pete) that have played a lot of meaningful 2K. Will inexperience be Brooklyn’s downfall?
Knicks Gaming (2-4) Vs. Cavs Legion (2-3), 9 p.m. ET
The Knicks’ bumpy road through week four culminates tonight in a matchup with Cavs Legion. New York sat at .500 headed into its stretch of three games in four nights, and after losses to Hornets Venom GT and Blazer5 Gaming, the season one champions have dropped to 14th in the standings with a record of 2-4. While Knicks Gaming fans were encouraged to watch them push Blazer5 to three games, it would boost the team’s morale to avoid going 0-3 on the week with a win tonight.
Meanwhile, Cavs Legion returned from its hiatus with a win over Magic Gaming, its first victory since opening week. Strainer silenced any doubts regarding Cleveland’s point guard position, averaging 28.6 points on 58% shooting against Orlando. Equally important, veteran big oLarry provided Strainer with great reads off the pick and roll, on his way to averaging a double-double in the series.
Key Matchup: OriginalMalik Vs. Godddof2K
While Cavs Legion lockdown defender Godddof2K will have his hands full with Knicks point guard Duck, tonight’s outcome could also hinge on how uncomfortable he makes OriginalMalik. As Knicks Gaming’s marksman, Malik averaged 22.3 points on a blistering 72% from the outside against Blazer5.
Jazz Gaming (1-1) Vs. Blazer5 Gaming (4-0), 9 p.m. ET
After a disastrous start to its series against Kings Guard Gaming, Jazz Gaming has an opportunity to make a quick turnaround. Unfortunately, this also means a date with undefeated Blazer5 Gaming, the featured game of the night on ESPN2. In game one against Sacramento, Utah failed to register a made field goal until the 10-second mark of the first quarter and would only finish with seven points by halftime. That type of slow start is difficult to recover from against any team, let alone one of Blazer5’s caliber.
Reigning MVP Mama Im Dat Man has been on a scoring tear lately but is also backed by a supporting cast that plays their roles perfectly. Portland consistently dominates the regular season, and while it is clear the team is having fun, its attention is focused on an inevitable return to the playoffs.
Key Matchup: Lord Beezus Vs. Lavish Phenom
Last night, the Jazz power forward had his hands full accounting for Yusef_Scarbz, and will now accept the unenviable task of containing Portland’s LavishPhenom. Like Yusef, Lavish is able to affect various aspects of the game, evident by his 7/6/7/10/1 stat line in the closeout game against Knicks Gaming.
