Los Angeles 69, Philadelphia 63
BIG ONE TAKES SHOWDOWN WIRE-TO-WIRE
LOS ANGELES -- The Los Angeles Big One captured the cross-over battle of the powerhouses, besting visiting Philadelphia 69-63 in a defensive-minded game in which the home team never trailed.
The Big One have thus tallied both cross-over wins for the West, having defeated Milwaukee, the first-place club in the East, just prior to the All Star Game break.
This was the fourth consecutive win for L.A.(now 5-1), the longest current victory streak in the MBA and it knocks Philly (now 4-2) out of first place in the East.
Trailing by 13 heading into the home stretch of the final quarter, Philly made a last-ditch run at L.A., getting to within 4 points with 12 ticks left in the game thanks to a near-disastrous technical foul on home team coach Naceg Gecan with his team up by 7. The resultant technical free throw was the first missed charity toss by Wawa Wewa of Philly in 44 regular-season tries over the past two seasons. But the veteran Wewa immediately made up for it by hitting a 3-point bomb to give his team a bit of hope at the time.
POINTS PREVENTED BY QUARTERS
Philadelphia...5...3...2...2 Total=12
Los Angeles...2...4...6...3 Total=15
TURNOVERS CAUSED BY QUARTER
Philadelphia...0...3...0...2 Total=5
Los Angeles...2...2...1...1 Total=6
Top Players Points Prevented
1. Great Gruncle Terry, Los Angeles...9
2. D. Fenestration, Philadelphia...6
3. Quick Tink, Los Angeles...4
Top Players Turnovers Caused
4 players tied with 2
PLAYER OF THE GAME
Enjoying the best seasons of his 4-year career, Los Angeles center QUICK TINK totally out-played another pivot having his best campaign, Taco Tuesday of Philadelphia. The 6-8 Tink went 11 for 15 from the floor to secure top scoring honors for the game with 25 points. He was also 3 for 3 from the foul stripe. Tink pulled down 5 boards, blocked 1 shot and finished third among leaders in points prevented, stopping 4. It was the second POG of the season for him as he wages a war with perennial All-MBA center Chochky Galumpkus of Dallas for the foil star.
Other 20-plus GVP performers
-- Although he scored just 6 points, Los Angeles point guard Great Gruncle Terry put his imprint on this game in other big time ways. In addition to tying for game-high in both rebounds (7) and assists (5), Terry was by far the outstanding defender in this one, stopping a game-high 9 enemy points by himself. The 6-5 Terry also led his team in blocked shots with 2 while dominating his opposite, Little Dickie Paper, who fouled out.
-- Philadelphia forwards provided most of their team's offense in this losing cause. Second-year man D. Fenestration had it all over Turk Attaturk, scoring 16 points, blocking a game-high 3 shots, pulling down 3 rebounds and dishing 2 assists. The 6 opponent points he prevented was secomd only to Terry.
-- Ten-year star Wawa Wewa of Philly out-did his opposite Crentis Dentist 18 points to 8, with the 18 being high on Philly. He was a perfect 7 for 7 from the floor, includig 2 for 2 from deep. The 6-7 Wewa tied for top rebounding honors in the game with 7 and added 1 assist.
NEXT UP: The seventh bracket starts with the first of two consecutive games betwee East conteders Philadelphia and Charleston, with the Moutaieers at home. It's a must-wim for Charleston in the ridiculously tight East.
Later in the bracket, the Featured Game will pit Dallas at San Jose in another intriguing cross-over contest.
MOUNT RUSHMORE
OF EACH FRANCHISE
Sixth in a Series
BASED ON NUMBER OF AWARDS GARNERED BY A PLAYER WHILE PLAYING FOR THIS TEAM.
UNCLE BOB MASTERSON, Hall of Fame
guard
CURLY HOGBOTTOM, Hall of Fame forward
STU NOD, Hall of Fame guard
CAM BODIA, Hall of Fame forward
2nd Golden Bonus: 👎
The 10 Lowest-ranked player careers in MBA History
No. 5
One of the many references to departed buddy Charley Krebs, the fifth worst career in MBA history belongs to 6-7 forward Wa-Wa Chuckles, a Phil name. Chuckles was created with the rookie class of Season 18, then spent Season 19, Season, 20, Season 21, Season 22, Season 23, Season 24, Season 25 and Season 26 (a total of 9 campaigns) among the refuse populating the cut pile. The guy was actually not too shabby defensively and he could rebound and pass. But he could not score anywhere near the bucket, so it was "wa-wa-wa" and then good-bye.
