Los Angeles 71, San Jose 65
FAST START KEYS WIN FOR BIG ONE
SAN JOSE --- The visiting Big One from Los Angeles got out of the gate quickly, building a 21-16 lead after one quarter that was never surpassed, winning Game 1 of the Season 51 Finals 71-65.
The home team Fighting Amigos, suffering from a rare offensively challenged day from league MVP and Hall of Famer Jesse Shershot, fell behind by as many as 13 points in the third quarter before rallying to close within 5 points entering the final stanza.
The closest San Jose got was right off the bat in the fourth, when Shershot scored immediately, cutting the lead to 3. After that, it was a bucket for bucket exchange, with the defending champions answering any hint of a run by the Amigos.
This was the third time these teams met this season, with San Jose winning two close regular season encounters, 85-82 and 76-70.
This is also the first time in MBA history that these two franchises have met in the Finals.
Los Angeles head coach Naceg Gecan (aka Tyler) surprised everyone by inserting seldom-used rookie forward Idna Valsid into the starting lineup for Christ Almighty, noting that San Jose forward Eddie Creamer had destroyed "The Good Shepherd" in their previous two meetings. Creamer pretty much had his way with Valsid anyway, so it will be interesting to see what Gecan does in Game 2.
Counting the end of the regular season, this was the sixth consecutive win for the red-hot Big One, which is no stranger to running victories together. Last season they put together 13 triumphs in a row to end their championship campaign.
PLAYER OF THE GAME
32 GVP...The Big One utilized their advantage at the center position well in the opener, feeding QUICK TINK for a game-high 24 points as he was dominant in his battle with Twinkles Spatula. Tink went 10 for 12 from the floor, including a long trey, a dunk and 3 for 3 at the foul line. Additionally, the 6-8 pivot hauled in a game-high 7 rebounds and blocked 1 shot. Los Angeles fans are going to miss this guy when he retires at the end of this post-season.
Other 20-plus GVP performers
26 GVP...As stated earlier, San Jose power forward Eddie "the Milkman" Creamer pounded on rookie Valsid, scoring a team-high 18 points, with six of his buckets ending with thundering slam dunks. The 6-9 Creamer also led his club in rebounds with 6, adding an assist and a steal to the mix.
23 GVP...Point guard supreme Great Gruncle Terry of Los Angeles dominated his opposite, Cremeofsum Yunguy. As is his wont, Terry led everyone in assists, dropping 7 dimes while also blocking a game-high 3 shots, including a would-be 3-pointer from Shershot. The 8-season star also pulled down 3 boards.
20 GVP...Two-time All-MBA forward Crentis "The" Dentist had his usual superb game, scoring 17 points and adding 1 rebound, 1 assist and 1 blocked shot. His second-quarter scoring surge gave L.A. the 11-point halftime lead it nursed to the end.
MBA NOTE: Retiring Hall of Fame center Tree Fiddy of Sacramento left the game with the 9th most points ever registered. Here is the list of the top 10 scorers all time.
1. Momadou Zongo...2,606 points in 17 seasons...15.7 ppg
2. Ching-chong Chung... 2,016 points in 12 seasons...16.8 ppg
3. Hrundi V. Bakshi...1,980 points in 13 seasons...16.5 ppg
4. Doug Fresh...1,904 points in 15 seasons...13.3 ppg
5. Max Payne...1,881 points in 17 seasons...12.5 ppg
6. Uncle Bob Masterson...1,872 points in 10 seasons...19.1 ppg
7. Steve Carter...1,727 points in 16 seasons...11.7 ppg
8. Naf Naf...1,648 points in 7 seasons...24.2 ppg
9. Tree Fiddy...1,580 points in 13 seasons...13.5 ppg
10. Motts Biondi...1,548 points in 15 seasons...10.6 ppg
NEXT UP: A short trek from San Jose to Los Angeles for Game 2, which is already looking like a must-win for San Jose. Funny how the West always plays poor sister to the seemingly stronger East, but has both Finals teams and will boast the last three champions once this season is concluded.
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