PHILADELPHIA 72, SACRAMENTO 66
PHOBIA'S 'D' TOO MUCH FOR R-DOGS
PHILADELPHIA -- The Philadelphia defense, best by far in the MBA this season, prevented 19 River Dogs points in this 72-66 Game 1 win, six more than Sacramento's could muster, and six was the margin of victory.
Down by as much as 10 in the third quarter, Sacramento closed to within 3 points twice in the fourth and by 4 with 18 left, but they could not get any closer.
The 6-11, 6-10, 6-10 front line of the victors, who captured their fifth consecutive win, pounded out a 28-19 rebounding advantage to grab their first playoff win in eight seasons. And while the Phobia shot 60.7 percent from the floor, they held the visitors to just 47.4 percent.
Sacramento's biggest advantage came from beyond the arc, where they out-did Philly 6 treys to zip.
POINTS PREVENTED BY QUARTERS
Sacramento...0...11...0...2 Total=13
Philadelphia..4...10...4...1 Total=19
Individual leaders points prevented
1. Blob Dylan, Philadelphia 7
1. Leonard Pinth Garnel, Philadelphia 7
3. Satan Israel, Sacramento 6
TURNOVERS CAUSED
Philadelphia caused 2 turnovers, both in the first quarter
Sacramento caused 0 turnovers
The individual who led in turnovers caused was Tut Ankhamun of Philadelphia with 2.
PLAYER OF THE GAME
28 GVP...We said in the preview for this series that Philadelphia had a major advantage at center, and the Phobia's BLOB DYLAN immediately asserted that upper hand in the pivot in Game 1. The 6-11 sixth-year defensive genius dominated his man Ab3rd, tying for most points prevented while also tying for game-high scoring honors with 18 points and game-high in rebounds with 7 and blocked shots with 2, adding 1 assist. He was 8 of 12 from the floor and 2 for 2 from the foul line in a continuation of what has been his best offensive season.






















