Season 48 Finals Game 5...Milwaukee at Sacramento

 

RIVER DOGS FIGHT SONG

 

The R-Dogs,

The R-Dogs,

Everybody loves the R-Dogs!

 

The R-Dogs,

The R-Dogs,

The Greatest Team Around!

 

They Might, Just, Never be Good

But We Don't Care

Give That Dog A Bone

 

They Are the ONLY TEAM for US

The Greatest Team Ara-ounnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnd!

Sacramento 76, Milwaukee 52

R-DOGS GET THEIR BONE

SACRAMENTO -- Showing the balanced attack and tenacious defense that has earned them the sobriquet "The Beautiful Team," the Sacramento River Dogs put away the stubborn challengers from Milwaukee early and coasted to the second championship in franchise history by a 76-52 score.

The Slaugter Rule was once again put into effect in this game, marking the fourth time in the R-Dogs' five post-season wins that they so dominated their opponents.

All five starters were in double figures, with each receiving a long standing ovation with the home crowd chanting "River Dogs, River Dogs, Ruff Ruff!" over and over. 

Down 12 points after the first quarter and at the half, the visiting Greyhounds came within 4 points of the lead in the third quarter before Sacramento began methodically applying defensive pressure and expanding the advantage to 17 entering the fourth. 

"Milwaukee will be back," predicted River Dogs head coach Frankie Pantangeli. "They lose nobody to retirement while we have to replace Potus Obama, our team MVP."

This is the second title for Sacramento, which won it all in Season 44 with four of the same five starters that they featured this season. They have been in four of the last five MBA Finals with basically the same crew, losing forward Pap Smearz after last season and replacing him with James "Cherry  Challenge" Payne. 

POINTS PREVENTED BY QUARTER

Milwaukee...2...2...0...4   Total=8

Sacramento..6...4...4...2   Total=16

TOP PLAYERS POINTS PREVENTED

1. James "Cherry Challenge" Payne, Sacramento 6

1. Lannigan Lord Hobo, Milwaukee.....................6

3. Potus Obama, Sacramento ................................4

3. Tree Fiddy, Sacramento......................................4

PLAYER OF THE GAME

It's only fitting that the Player of the Game in this title-clinching contest go to the index card that has meant so much to the franchise of the saluting pirate dog, Potus Obama, who bowed out in style. Obama, the 7-season defensive genius, absolutely suffocated the MBA MVP, Lannigan Lord Hobo in the Finals, holding him to a total of 37 points in five games (a 7.4 average) that basically removed him from Milwaukee's attack. In this game, Obama again dominated Hobo, holding him to 4 points and swiping the ball away a game-high 3 times. The 6-5 Obama also led everyone in blocked shots with 2, was among the game leaders with 4 points prevented and tied for team-high in assists with 4. He followed his game-high 26-point effort of Game 4 with 14 points in this clincher, going 7 for 12 from the floor to bring his outstanding career to a marvelous conclusion. 

Other 20-plus GVP performers

-- The other half of the MBA's best guard tandem, Great Gruncle Terry of Sacramento, put aside his usual assists game to concentrate on scoring in this championship tilt. Terry came through big time with a game-high 18 points, his best scoring effort of the playoffs, while his opposite, Fatty McButterpants could manage just 2. The 6-5 Terry also grabbed 3 boards and had 1 assist.

-- When they lost forward Pap Smearz to retirment, his replacement James "Cherry Challenge" Payne stepped into the breach and gave the River Dogs a different look with his passing and defense. In this game, the 6-7 Payne tied for most points prevented with 6, swiped 2 passes, blocked 1 shot, tied for team-high in assists with 4, grabbed 2 rebounds and scored 13 points.

-- Third-year small forward Wardy Joubert III remained excellent in this final contest, leading his team in scoring with 16 poiints and tying for team-high in rebounds with 4. He was by far the best playoff performer for Milwaukee throughout the post-season.

NEXT UP: Stats and the awarding of the Season 48 Playoff MVP