Week 5 Preview
June 2, 2020
CLTX Looks to Pick Up First Win During Jam-Packed Week 5
By Taylor Snow
BOSTON – After competing in only two series through the first four weeks of the NBA 2K League season, Celtics Crossover Gaming finally has a jam-packed week of action to look forward to. The Boston-based squad will cram in three series over the next three nights, as it is set to face off against Grizz Gaming, Lakers Gaming, and NetsGC, respectively.
Combined, this week’s group of opponents possess a 1-12 record, which could translate into a golden opportunity for CLTX as it looks to find its way into the win column following an 0-2 start.
It’s worth noting, however, that the lone win of the group belongs to CLTX’s first opponent of the week, Grizz Gaming, which is fresh off of a 2-0 sweep against Lakers Gaming last Thursday night. The back half of the sweep resulted in a 103-56 blowout, which featured a pair of 31-point efforts from Vandi and jRod, as well as the first triple-double in franchise history with G O O F Y 7 5 7 logging 18 points, 18 rebounds and 12 assists.
Despite suffering such a blowout and falling to the bottom of the standings at 0-7, Lakers Gaming could still present some challenges for CLTX during their matchup Wednesday night. The biggest task will be limiting point guard SAV, who is averaging 35.0 points and 5.6 assists per game. The No. 7 pick of the 2020 Draft has reached the 40-point mark multiple times this season, including a career-high 47-point outing last Wednesday against Pistons GT. While oFAB deals with SAV, NO xAUTOGRAPHx will face the task of going up against one of the league’s top rim-protectors in Tactuk, who is averaging 13.4 points and 2.9 blocks per game.
Finally, CLTX will wrap up its hectic week with a matchup against the team with the shortest resume in the league. NetsGC was the last squad to hit the virtual hardwood, as it did not begin its season until last Friday night. Its matchup against Mavs Gaming resulted in a pair of single-digit losses, despite point guard, Choc, racking up a total of 71 points and 13 assists.
oFAB will once again have his hands full against a talented group of point guards this week, between Vandi (28.1 PPG), SAV (35.0 PPG), and Choc (35.5 PPG). Though, the third-year point guard is off to a hot start himself, averaging 24.8 points and 6.8 assists per game.
However, CLTX will need more than just oFAB to deliver offensively. Bulleyy is a prime candidate to step up on that end of the court, as he looks to extend his streak of double-digit scoring games to five Tuesday night.