Season 52 Featured Game No. 5...Dallas at Sacramento

SACRAMENTO 86, DALLAS 71

R-DOGS WHIZ ON DEMONS

SACRAMENTO -- "No team starting Pigglesworth is a viable contender."-- Tyler Masterson

With that bulletin board material posted prominently in the Sacramento River Dogs' lockerroom, Buddy "Stankpig" Pigglesworth and the R-Dogs proceeded to dismantle the previously unbeaten Dallas Demons 86-71, proving in the process that these young index cards from Texas are, in fact human and beatable.

The game featured the top two defenses in the league, but while Dallas struggled to overcome the ball pressure of Sacramento (now 5-0), the Saluting Dog exploded for 68.5 percent shooting that led to a 20-point halftime lead.

PLAYER OF THE GAME

36 GVP...Sacramento's rookie power forward KEVIN DURAN-DURAN dominated last season's All-MBA and Rookie of the Year Satan Israel, holding him to 9 points while scoring a game-high 28 of his own. The River Dogs went to the 6-9 rookie constantly in the first half to build their huge lead, as Duran-Duran continuously beat Israel down low. He was 13 for 15 from the field and continued his league-leading free-throwing with a 2 for 2 day. Additionally, KDD led his team with 4 rebounds, tied for team-high in blocks with 2 and handed out 2 assists. He's a shoo-in for the All Star Game.

Other 20-plus GVP performers

29 GVP... Fired-up Sacramento shooting guard Buddy "Stankpig" Pigglesworth dominated...yes, dominated...All-MBA defensive stalwart Juzan Djinn in this game. The Stanky One rippled the cords for 24 points, including 4 for 4 from beyond the arc, while tying for game-high in steals with 2 and pulling down 3 rebounds. "Viable" enough?

22 GVP...One of four excellent rookies in this game, Dallas point guard Kopi Luwak had his usual team-high in points, scoring 17, while assisting 2 times, grabbing 2 rebounds and recording 1 theft. He made Freddy Chepuzzo stink, showing he is an All Star for sure.

21 GVP...In a battle royale of centers, Sacramento's Hall of Fame center J.J. Gargantuan battled the hot new kid on the block, Biggus Dickus, to a standstill. Gargantuan scored 10 points, handed out a game-high 5 assists, tied for team-high in rebounds with 4 and in blocked shots with 2. 

21 GVP...Sacramento small forward Crentis Dentist contributed 14 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal and tied for team-high in blocks with 2.

20 GVP...Although he scored just 6 points against one of the great defensive players of all time, rookie center Biggus Dickus contributed mightily otherwise, leading everyone in both blocked shots (3) and rebounds (7). Additionally, the 7-footer led his team with 3 assists and accounted for 1 steal.

MBA Standings … Season 52

EAST DIVISION

DALLAS………………….4-1

OKLAHOMA CITY…..3-1

PHILADELPHIA………2-2

CHARLESTON………..2-2

MILWAUKEE……….. 1-3

 

 

WEST DIVISION

SACRAMENTO…5-0

SAN JOSE………….1-3

SEATTLE…………..1-3

GILLETTE………….1-3

LOS ANGELES…..1-3

 

NEXT UP:  With the second playoff spot in the West totally up for grabs, the next game on the schedule, Gillette at Seattle, will put one of these 1-3 teams squarely in the post-season picture as we head into the break.