Semifinals Game 1...Oklahoma City at Dallas

DALLAS 102, OKLAHOMA CITY 63

Demons destroy Lariats

DALLAS -- Any thoughts of a possible upset were erased by a Dallas first quarter that put them up by a country mile, 35-17. From then on it was a record-book game, with the home team Demons being urged on by fans hoping to see their team enter either the playoff annals for points scored (110) or the all-time scoring mark of 118.

   Despite a relentless attack that had the visitors reeling, Dallas fell short of both targets; and a further check of the records showed that they came closest (missing by two points) to establishing a new playoff record for biggest massacre (40 points) set by Charleston way way way back in Season 8 over Houston.

   But the MBA's highest scoring squad was still awesome in its efficiency and balance, with 6 players scoring between 15 and 19 points on 68.9 percent shooting as they romped to a convincing Game 1 playoff victory.

PLAYER OF THE GAME

Fourth-year Dallas center GOTOO GROT used his overwhelming 7-2 size and jumping ability to post game-highs in both points (19) and rebounds (7) while tying for game-high in assists with 3. The big man was 8 for 11 from the floor, including a slam and a tip try over the diminutive 5-11 Hurricane Furrwizard of Oklahoma City that threatened to take the little guy's head clean off. 

Other 20-plus GVP performers

-- Before fouling out, 11-season Dallas point guard Louie Subgum dominated his man Flip Phelps with a 15-point game that included 2 blocked shots, a steal, 2 rebounds and 2 assists.

-- Dallas shooting guard Bingo Bango scored 16 points, pulled down 3 boards, tied for game-high with 3 assists and had 1 steal.

-- Demons' power forward Tiger Masterson, who has been playing dead for the first seven seasons of his career, continues to make his eighth season an unexpected coming out party. He killed Peter Pizza of Oklahoma City, checking off every statistical column with 17 points, pulling down 3 boards getting 1 assist, 1 steal and 1 blocked shot.

-- Hall of Fame power forward (and MVP for the fourth time this season) Chip Battoe of Dallas had one of his lesser great games, scoring 16 points, handing out 1 assist, getting 1 steal and leading everyone with 4 blocked shots. 

-- Forward or backward, however you say his first name, Dallas substitute guard Otto Palindrome played brilliantly off the bench for the victors, scoring 15 points and adding 3 rebounds, tying for game-high with 3 assists and getting 1 steal. 

-- Oklahoma City's rookie center Chochky Galumpkus was the sole bright spot among starters in this annihilation. The 7-1 pivot was a perfect 7 for 7 from the field on the way to a team-high 14 points while also leading him team in rebounds with 5. He added 1 assist.

NEXT UP: Charleston(6-4) looks to steal Game 1 against Semifinal favorite Sacramento (9-1) at the Dog Pound. The teams had a playoff preview cross-over contest late in the regular season, where the River Dogs emerged with a 81-70 win; Potus Obama the Player of the Game for the victors.