OKLAHOMA CITY 86, DALLAS 72 (Series tied 1-1)
LARIATS GET EVEN
OKLAHOMA CITY -- Playing before a hyped up home crowd that had not seen a Finals game in seven seasons, the Oklahoma City Lariats roped, flipped and hog-tied the seemingly invincible Dallas Demons 86-72 to even this Finals series at one game each.
Oklahoma City got off to a smoking hot start, scoring 29 points in the first quarter to take a 12-point lead that they never gave up. Shooting 61.9 percent for the game, they led by 10 with 17 ticks remaining in the first quarter, then continued to up that advantage to as much as 25 points in the third quarter.
The Lariats scored just 11 points in the fourth quarter, but it was more than enough to coast home with the triumph. The win put an end to the Demons' four-game winning streak.
Despite losing by 14, Dallas still shot a more-than-respectable 60 percent as a team.
Oklahoma City controlled the boards in this win, 21-11.
These two Finals teams have now split the four games they have played in Season 53. The Whiz Kids are still the favorites, but the championship round just got a hell of a lot more interesting.
PLAYER OF THE GAME
28 GVP...Although his team came up on the short end of things, Dallas shooting guard JUZAN DJINN was the POG for the second time in as many Finals games. Djinn again led both clubs in scoring, putting up a 21-point effort in chich he was 8 for 13 from the floor (1 for 3 from deep) and 4 of 5 from the foul line. The stalwart defender again led in blocked shots with 6, adding 1 rebound for good measure.
Other 20-plus GVP performers
27 GVP...Lariat's rookie power forward Phillip Mianus dominated Al A. Orden for the second game in a row, holding the Dallas veteran to just 4 points while scoring 17 himself. Mianus tied for team-high in blocked shots with 3, grabbed 5 boards and assisted 2 times.
25 GVP...Oklahoma City point guard King Czardines led the way in scoring for the Lariats with 20 points while tying for team-high in assists with 3. He added 2 rebounds.
24 GVP...The big 7-footer for Dallas, second-year man Biggus Dickus, had a fine offensive game with 18 poiints. He also grabbed 3 boards, blocked 1 shot, assisted 1 time and registered 1 steal.
23 GVP...His performance, good or bad, is a bit of a bellweather for the Lariats against a quality team like Dallas. And six-year man Handsy Joe Potatoe, playing under control, scored 16 points despite the defense of Juzan Djinn, tied for team-high in assists with 3, grabbed 3 rebounds and blocked 1 shot.
23 GVP...Dallas' All-MBA point guard Kopi Luwak splashed home five 3-pointers on the way to a 19-point game. He also contributed 3 assists and 1 rebound.
21 GVP...Oklahoma City's 7-1 center Chochky Galumpkus gathered in a game-high 7 rebnounds, tied for team-high in blocked shots with 3, scored 10 points and had 1 assist in this major triumph.
NEXT UP: Back to Dallas with the Finals series tied at one game each.
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