Day one of the NBA 2K League’s Turn Tournament didn’t disappoint, with six series spanning nearly six hours.
(22) Lakers Gaming def. (11) Grizz Gaming 2-0
Game 1: Lakers Gaming 64 – Grizz Gaming 58
Game 2: Lakers Gaming 64 – Grizz Gaming 57
High expectations fell flat for Grizz Gaming during the opening round of the Turn. Nobody saw it coming, and I certainly didn’t, but Lakers Gaming swept potential playoff team Grizz Gaming. Vandi never quite got it going, Memphis’ game one comeback bid fell short, and a sloppy game two second half advanced LA forward to round two.
For Lakers Gaming, we saw a familiar face back in the lineup, as Mootyy reclaimed his starting power forward spot on the glass cleaner build. Sav was just fine using a new build, averaging 30 points per game on the midrange specialist. Tactuk chipped in 17 points during game two, and maybe just maybe, LA has a little momentum brewing.
Dweq and his Lakers Gaming teammates haven’t had the smoothest season, but when money is on the line, say no more:
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Our POG goes to @Dweq_!Out of 2 games:💰 Averaged 12 points💰 Averaged 21.5 rebounds💰 Averaged 4.5 assists💰 Averaged 2 blocks pic.twitter.com/rkQewP01ea
(10) Bucks Gaming def. (23) Celtics Crossover Gaming 2-0
Game 1: Celtics Crossover Gaming 54 – Bucks Gaming 64
Game 2: Celtics Crossover Gaming 68 – Bucks Gaming 105
Celtics Crossover trolled us a little bit, banning the Two-Way Slashing Playmaker (my personal favorite) this series. This build has been used a grand total of zero times this season. Boston maybe should have considered banning Regg’s Scoring Machine archetype, but Fab using the same build may have deterred them from doing so.
Nonetheless, Bucks Gaming enjoyed a pair of double-digit wins and their rookie casually set a record for most assists ever recorded (29) in an NBA 2K League game (adding insult to injury by doing it against the former record-holder, Fab). In that same game, Milwaukee had all five starters score at least 15 points, with three non-guards eclipsing 20: Arooks (29), Squidris (21), Plondo (24). Impressive offensive output from this squad as they move on to round two of the Turn.
By the way, the fake-pass glitch we all know and love from retail is alive and well in the league build:
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I had 30 😒 pic.twitter.com/KB3G5zvqea
(13) Blazer5 Gaming def. (20) Pacers Gaming 2-0
Game 1: Pacers Gaming 67 – Blazer5 Gaming 78
Game 2: Pacers Gaming 64 – Blazer5 Gaming 68
The #FreeBO campaign, led prominently by Celtics Crossover point guard oFab, proved successful. Whether or not because of the special rules this tournament carries, Bohio made an appearance in the Pacers Gaming lineup for the first time in a few weeks. The 2020 No. 4 overall pick averaged 28 points and 7 assists per game, including a game two double-double.
This series was probably a little too close for comfort for Blazer5 Gaming, but they survived a pair of overtimes and advanced regardless. Mama averaged a light 36 points per contest while his big man OneWildWalnut stuffed the stat sheet (15 points, 17.5 rebounds, 4 blocks per game).
MamaImDatMan says bring on all of the bans, they’re ready:
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Ban me or ban my dawg @OneWildWalnut just know the freak show on to the next round pic.twitter.com/pLz42eI3SO
(12) Knicks Gaming def. (21) Pistons GT 2-1
Game 1: Pistons GT 79 – Knicks Gaming 50
Game 2: Pistons GT 60 – Knicks Gaming 68
Game 3: Pistons GT 56 – Knicks Gaming 70
For Pistons GT, LykaPro shifted to starting point guard (again) as DemonJT took on the role of sharpshooter. After a game one blowout, in which Pistons GT won by nearly 30, Detroit blew all momentum and dropped two straight contests.
New York made a ton of starting lineup adjustments. With Malik’s primary archetype being banned, the former first-round pick moved to the three-level scorer build at small forward. Other changes included Rob moving off of center, with Hazza assuming that role, and Rim holding down the sixth-man spot. After a tough series opener, the new-look lineup grew more comfortable and claimed two straight victories.
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Took care of business. On to the Kings 😤 pic.twitter.com/zbhGbZRcB4
(16) Gen.G Tigers of Shanghai def. (17) Magic Gaming 2-0
Game 1: Magic Gaming 65 – Gen.G Tigers 70
Game 2: Magic Gaming 61 – Gen.G Tigers 69
Give Magic Gaming credit, the team battles and keeps games close, but fell short yet again against the Gen.G Tigers of Shanghai during round one. Reizey averaged 30 points and 8 assists per game while DT chipped in 12 points and 10 boards per contest.
We saw Gen.G’s newest player debut as Flac appeared at the power forward spot. Just the NBA 2K League’s third-ever free-agent signee, Flac put together a solid game two: 10 points, 6 rebounds 2 steals and a block. In addition, the archetype bans always benefit a versatile point guard such as ShiftyKaii, who has been comfortably switching between two/three builds all season, and it showed during round one, where the rookie averaged 32 points and 10 assists per game.
#TourneyTigers
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Game Day and we’re LOCKED!!💪🏾 #TourneyTigers pic.twitter.com/683EZCYlDJ
(14) 76ers GC def. (19) Heat Check Gaming 2-0
Game 1: Heat Check Gaming 57 – 76ers GC 82
Game 2: Heat Check Gaming 64 – 76ers GC 67
Don’t let that 76ers GC record fool you, Heat Check Gaming lost to a solid NBA 2K League team. While game one wasn’t particularly close, Hotshot (15 points, 13 rebounds, 3 blocks per game) and co. had a chance to force this series to a third game, but ultimately fell short.
76ers GC, the hottest team in the league, claimed its sixth straight series victory. Radiant switched over to shooting guard (though remained the de facto point guard) with his primary build being banned and averaged 35 points and 8 assists per game. Scretty made his debut at point guard, scoring 22 points in game one and is now tied for the winningest point guard in league history (percentage-wise).
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2-0 in the league at PG hehe 😎 https://t.co/VG0QGCyUpz
(18) Hawks Talon GC def. (15) Cavs Legion GC 2-0
This series was postponed after Hawks Talon romped to a game one win Wednesday night, with the series being concluded Thursday morning. Cavs Legion GC udnerwent clear technical difficulties during game one, and likely during game two, which was not televised live. Hawks Talon GC will play Jazz Gaming in round two.