Sacramento 91, Oklahoma City 64
R-DOGS ROMP TO THIRD STRAIGHT FINALS
SACRAMENTO -- It will be an all-canines Finals for the first time in MBA history as the Sacramento River Dogs punched their third consecutive championship series ticket with a slaughter-rule-enforced 91-64 win over the Oklahoma City Lariats.
Awaiting them will be the Eastern Divsion champion Milwaukee Greyhounds. They have never met for the title.
This game was never really in doubt, and the Dog Pound faithful howled their approval throughout. The visiting Lariats again put the ball in the hands of their fine rookie Handsy Joe Potatoe, but, harassed by Great Gruncle Terry of Sacramento, Potatoe shot just 2 for 11 in the first half (0 for 7 from deep) and the home team had firm command of the game.
After losing the first Semifinals game to Oklahoma City by three in a defensive tilt, the River Dogs righted the ship and administered two straight slaughter-rule whoopings to secure another chance at a championship.
Sacramento has now advanced to the Finals four times in the past five seasons, winning in a 3-0 upset of Philadelphia in the first of those trips. They ran up against Chip Battoe and Dallas the last two seasons, but this year Coach Frankie Pantangeli's charges are the favorites against Milwaukee.
PLAYER OF THE GAME
To say that Sacramento fan favorite DOO-RAG DRIPP dominated his man in this important win would be a massive understatement. The eight-season forward, who gained his second POG of the playoffs, not only posted game-high numbers in points (25) and rebounds (10), adding 1 steal; his opponent Entha Shortzone never even got off a shot in the entire contest. The 6-7 Dripp, playing power forward for the first time this season, was 12 for 18 from the floor, including a dunk, and 1 for 1 from the foul line.
Other 20-plus GVP performers-- Sacramento's Hall of Fame center Tree Fiddy followed up his 22-point game in the previous outing with a 23-point effort in this win. The 10-season star also grabbed 4 boards, had 3 assists and a tied for game-high in blocked shots with 2, despite going up against the always-tough Chochky Galumpkus.
-- Despite a horrendous first half in which he scored just 6 points, Rookie of the Year point guard Handsy Joe Potatoe of the Lariats and his volume shooting ended up doing in his defensive nemesis Great Gruncle Terry, who fouled out early in the fourth quarter, which helped Potatoe end up with a team-high 22 points that included 4 second-half treys. The 6-5 team MVP also pulled down 5 rebounds, had 2 assists and blocked 1 shot.
-- Third-year Oklahoma City center Chochky Galumpkus put up some good numbers in the losing effort against All-MBA center Tree Fiddy. The 7-1 Galumpkus scored 12 points, topped his team with 6 boards and tied for game-high in blocks with 2.
-- The steady play of Oklahoma City veteran forward Anurag Dickshit was again on display in this vital contest. Dickshit dominated his man to the tune of 20 points while snagging 5 boards, getting 1 steal and blocking 1 shot.
NEXT UP: Game 1 of the Season 48 MBA Finals...Milwaukee Greyhounds at Sacramento River Dogs.
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