Oklahoma City 65, Sacramento 62
LARIATS SHOCK R-DOGS IN OPENER
SACRAMENTO -- Veteran Oklahoma City forward Anurag Dickshit, blocked a "good" short jump shot by Sacramento's James "Cherry Challenge" Payne at the 3 time unit mark that would have given the River Dogs a one-point lead. He was then fouled on a drive to the hoop as time ran out and made both foul shots on the way to a 65-62 Lariats win to kick off the Season 48 playoffs.
The game, tight throughout, saw 9 lead changes in the fourth quarter as Oklahoma City ended Sacramento's 7-game winning streak while extending its own winning streak to 7 games.
Missed free throws (3 for 9) turned out to be a huge part of the loss for Sacramento. Oklahoma City countered with an excellent day at the line (11 for 12).
The Lariats stole the win despite Rookie of the Year Handsy Joe Potatoe going 0 for 11 from the floor (0 for 8 from deep). His agony was matched by the 1 for 9 shooting woes from Sacramento's Potus Obama.
The loss by Sacramento puts the playoff favorites in the unenviable position of facing elimination in their next contest.
POINTS PREVENTED BY QUARTER
Oklahoma City...0...6...2...2 Total=10
Sacramento .......9...0...6...2 Total=17
TOP PLAYERS POINTS PREVENTED
1. James Payne, Sacramento...6
2. Entha Shortzone, Oklahoma City 4
2. Potus Obama, Sacramento 4
PLAYER OF THE GAME
Drilling shot after shot in the fourth quarter, veteran Sacramento forward DOO-RAG DRIPP kept the West Division champs in contention in the back-and-forth contest. His team-high 19 points included a timely 3-pointer with 10 left in the game that brought the River Dogs within a point. The eight-year forward was 9 for 13 from the floor (1 for 2 from deep) including a dunk. The 6-7 Dripp pulled down 5 boards, tied for game-high in blocks with 2 and had 2 assists. He dominated Entha Shortzone of Oklahoma City.
Other 20-plus GVP performers
-- Third-year Oklahoma City center Chochky Galumpkus was spectacular on the boards, swallowing a game-high 10 rebounds while scoring 13 points, blocking 1 shot and getting 1 assist in the big victory.
-- In addition to the clutch blocked shot near game's end, seven-year Oklahoma City forward Anurag Dickshit was high point man in the game with 20 while pulling down 6 boards, blocking that key shot and pretty much having his way with James Payne of Sacramento.
-- Sacramento's point guard supreme, Great Gruncle Terry started the playoffs with a triple-double, the sixth of his sensational career. The 6-5 Terry held the league's second-best scorer and Rookie of the Year Handsy Joe Potatoe to zero field goals and just 3 total points while scoring 12, grabbing 5 boards and dishing a game-high 6 assists. He added a steal and a blocked shot.
-- Tree Fiddy, the R-Dogs' Hall of Fame center and All-MBA pivot, had a battle royale with Galumpkus in the middle. Fiddy, now in his 10th season, scored 14 points, had a team-best 6 boards, blocked 1 shot and swiped 1 steal.
NEXT UP: Defensive-minded Seattle (5-5) takes on East Division winner Milwaukee (8-2, 5-game winning streak) in the other Semifinal opener.
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