Season 54 Playoffs...Finals Game 1...Oklahoma City at Dallas

DALLAS 89, OKLAHOMA CITY 72

DEMONS GO 4TH IN TRIUMPH

DALLAS -- The explosive two-time defending champion Dallas Demons used a fourth-quarter detonation to blow open a hotly contested tie contest on the way to an easy 89-72 Game 1 triumph.

The see-saw ballgame was tied 57-57 going into the final stanza when the pipes burst all over the visiting team from Oklahoma City, as the Whiz Kids tallied 32 points to just 15 for the Lariats. The game ended with an appropriate desperation full-court shot by Satan Israel of Dallas that tickled the twine at the buzzer.

This was the 13th consecutive victory for Dallas, dating back to last season's championship game, and it sets them up very nicely for a third consecutive championship, which would make them just the third team ever to accomplish that feat.

Rebounding was key in the win, with Dallas on top in that statistic 28-15. Balanced scoring, which has been a hallmark of Dallas throughout their reign, was again evident, with all five starters in double digits and all five getting at least 20 GVP.

PLAYER OF THE GAME

29 GVP...The hulking presence of 7-foot Dallas center BIGGUS DICKUS was on display in this game as the third-year pivot hauled down a game-high 9 boards and tied for team highs in both points (17) and assists (3) while battling Chochky Galumpkus of Oklahoma City. Dickus, a second-team All-MBA star, was 8 for 14 from the floor and 1 for 1 from the foul line. This was his second POG of the post-season, giving him the inside position for Playoff MVP honors at this point. 

Other 20-plus GVP performers

24 GVP...Oklahoma City shooting guard Handsy Joe Potatoe...20 points (5 treys)...3 rebounds...1 assist.

22 GVP...Oklahoma City Hall of Fame forward Crentis Dentist...18 points...2 assists...1 rebound...1 blocked shot.

21 GVP...Dallas Hall of Fame two guard Juzan Djinn...17 points (3 treys)...3 blocked shots...1 assist.

21 GVP...Oklahoma City center Chochky Galumpkus...16 points...3 rebounds...1 block...1 steal.

20 GVP...Dallas rookie point guard Vicious Hick...11 points (3 treys)...6 rebounds...3 assists.

20 GVP...Dallas power forward Satan Israel...16 points...4 rebounds.

20 GVP...Dallas small forward Pete Marzano...16 points...3 rebounds...1 blocked shot. 

NEXT UP: Oklahoma City defends its home court against the Dallas onslaught in a must-win situation for the Lariats.

PLAYOFF TRIVIA...When was the last time a center won the Playoff MVP award?

Answer...Hall of Fame center Diss Reflexia of Philadelphia in Season 43. The previous time before that a center won the Playoff MVP happened in Season 37...it was again, Diss Reflexia, playing for Seattle, the only time the Stampede won the whole enchilada.