Dallas 88, Sacramento 82
Demons answer R-Dogs' challenge
DALLAS -- The Dallas Demons, trailing by 8 points at the half, used a 32-point third quarter to propel them to a Game 1 Finals victory, 88-82 over the Sacramento River Dogs.
The top two defensive teams in the league (Dallas at No. 1) were intense but hard-pressed to stop the excellent shooting of their opponents. Sacramento shot a blistering 64.9 percent for the game, and Dallas nearly matched that with 63.2 percent. The main difference came at the foul line, where the victorious Demons held an 8-point edge, that included a technical foul on Sacramento coach Frankie Pantangeli. The Sicilian Maestro complained long and hard about the long halftime show which kept his team waiting in the lobby, and finally drew the 'T' early in the third quarter.
The Dallas pressure defense, which Sacramento absorbed efficiently in the first half, began causing turnovers immediately at the start of the third quarter, leading to the almost instantaneous score reversal and a lead that Dallas never yielded.
The game was,however, closer than the final score indicated, since Dallas forward Tiger Masterson threw a long desperation shot at game's end that went in for three points. It was Masterson's tip-in, following his own miss, that put the game out of reach for Sacramento with just a few ticks remaining.
The victory by Dallas gives them 13 consecutive wins without a defeat for Season 47 and 14 in a row dating back to Season 46. That ties the mark previously held by Charleston, which had 14 wins in a row in Season 42
Charleston holds the record for most consecutive wins in one season with 14 in a row in Season 42. Dallas can tie that mark with a win in the next game and establish a new record of 15 consecutive wins over two seasons.
Dallas and Charleston hold the record for most consecutive regular season wins in a row (13), which is still alive for Dallas entering Season 48.
PLAYER OF THE GAME
Dallas' 7-2 center GOTOO GROT took full advantage of the absence of Sacramento pivot Tree Fiddy to rack up a game-high 25 points on the way to capturing his second consecutive Player of the Game award in the post-season. The big man also led everyone in rebounds with 6 and added 1 steal and 1 assist. He was 11 for 15 from the floor and potted his first trey of the season (1 for 2 in that department), also slamming home one dunk. He was perfect from the foul line at 2 for 2.
OTHER 20-PLUS GVP PERFORMERS
-- Dallas forward Tiger Masterson used an excellent fourth-quarter to score a majority of his 15 points. The 6-8 veteran also tied for most blocks in the game with 3 and pulled down 4 rebounds. His tip-in off his own missed shot sealed the deal in the waning moments.
-- The mere presence of Dallas forward Chip Battoe kept Sacramento's top scorer Doo-rag Dripp from shooting the ball (held to 2 points). The Hall of Famer still tied for game-high in blocks with 3 while scoring 19 points, grabbing 4 rebounds and tying for game-high in steals with 2.
-- Sacramento point guard Great Gruncle Terry was superb in a losing effort, dominating his man Louie Subgum. Terry scored 19 points, led his team in blocks with 2, handed out 3 assists and snagged 2 boards.
-- Before fouling out with 50 time units left in the game (and his team down by 4), Sacramento shooting guard Potus Obama had already put together some nice numbers that included 17 points, 3 assists and 2 steals (which tied for game-high).
-- Pressed into service as Sacramento's starting center for the first time in his two-season career, the 6-8 Quick Tink responded brilliantly, leading his team in scoring with 21 points as he waged gruesome warfare with the giant Grot. Tink also led his team in rebounding with 5 boards.
NEXT UP: The teams travel to Sacramento where the River Dogs will re-gain the services of injured center Tree Fiddy. Nobody can bitch about the job Tink did, espcially offensively, but coach Pantangeli is hoping the Tree can slow down Grot's scoring barrage in this season's playoffs.
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