Season 52...Featured Game No. 9...Dallas at Oklahoma City

Dallas 86, Oklahoma City 68

WHIZ KIDS WIN WIRE-TO-WIRE

OKLAHOMA CITY -- The fresh-faced Dallas Demons became the second MBA team of Season 52 to clinch a post-season berth (the other is Sacramento) as they controlled the Oklahoma City Lariats 86-68, never trailing in the game at any point.

The young Demons (now 7-2) showed off their defensive prowess in the first quarter, blocking 6 shots on the way to a 23-14 lead. The closest Oklahoma City (now 5-4) came to Dallas was when they came within 4 points halfway through the final quarter. Dallas then hit the warp speed button to close things out by 18 points. This is their third win in a row.

The free-throw discrepency is worth noting...21 Dallas attempts to 4 for Oklahoma City.

The same two teams meet in bracket 10 to close out the season, but by that time, Oklahoma City could be mathematically eliminated.

PLAYER OF THE GAME

34 GVP...He came on like gangbusters in the second half of the season in Season 51 to earn Rookie of the Year and All-MBA honors, and Dallas' second-year forward SATAN ISRAEL is following that same script. The 6-8 power forward captured his third consecutive POG (and third overall) with another brilliant performance. He dominated anyone the Lariats put up against him with a game-high 25-point performance that included 11 for 13 from the floor (including 4 power slams), 7 rebounds and a game-high 2 steals. He is right back in the running for All-MBA again.

Other 20-plus GVP performances

30 GVP...Powerful Dallas rookie center Biggus Dickus out-played 7-1, 2-time All-MBA pivot Chochky Galumpkus. Dickus was masterly in coming up with the first triple-double of his career, scoring 15 points and leading everyone in both rebounds (8) and assists (7) while limiting Galumpkus' scoring and eventually fouling him out.

27 GVP...Defending All-MBA guard Juzan Djinn of Dallas increased his league lead in the shot-blocking department, adding a game-high 6 blocks for a season total of 29. Offensively he scored 17 points, including three treys while handing out 2 assists and grabbing 2 boards. He's in a dogfight for the second All-MBA guard spot with teammate Kopi Luwak and King Czardines of Oklahoma City.

22 GVP...Third-year point guard King Czardines of Oklahoma City, who came into the game second in the league in scoring, led his club with 17 points, pulled down 3 rebounds and handed out 2 assists. He added 3 deep bombs to his resume from beyond the arc. He is currently second in the league in that department and leading the league in assists.

20 GVP...Second-year Oklahoma City forward Buba Lipa led his team with 7 rebounds while scoring 10 poiints, adding 1 steal and 2 assists.

MBA Standings … Season 52

EAST DIVISION

DALLAS………………7-2 (clinched playoff spot)

PHILADELPHIA………5-3

OKLAHOMA CITY…..5-4

MILWAUKEE……….. 3-5

CHARLESTON……….3-5 (eliminated from playoff contention)

 

 

 

WEST DIVISION

SACRAMENTO…6-2 (clinched playoff spot)

SAN JOSE………….4-4

SEATTLE…………..4-4

GILLETTE………….3-5

LOS ANGELES…..1-7 (eliminated from playoff contention)

 

NEXT UP:  The Philadelphia Phobia can become the third team to clinch a playoff spot with a win at home against visiting Charleston. The Mountaineers could put those plans on hold, having barely lost to the Phobia 86-84 in their last meeting. Odds are against it, however, since Charleston will be without star center Johnny Bananas, lost to injury.  A Philly win would also eliminate Oklahoma City and Milwaukee from the post-season.