Season 58 Finals...Game 4...Philadelphia at Dallas

DALLAS 83, PHILADELPHIA 67 (Slaughter Rule Enforced) Series tied 2-2

DEMONS FIGHT BACK

DALLAS -- Showing the resilience of a champion, the Dallas Demons sent this Finals to a showdown Game 5 with a Slaughter Rule 83-67 thumping of the visiting Philadelphia Phobia.

On the verge of giving up the MBA title they have held for six straight seasons, the Demons defended their home court with a fury, leading from start to finish. 

Philadelphia mounted a push in the fourth quarter, cutting a 15-point lead to 6, but Dallas point guard Mini Carfartt ended the Phobia's hopes by delivering three consecutive 3-point bombs.

The game was not without incident, as Philly coach Stu Nod was hit with a technical foul in the first quarter as Dallas got off to a big lead. Then in the second quarter Venial Sinn of Dallas and Itstha Bishop of Philadelphia got into a fight in which both drew technicals, but Sinn was ejected from the game. That meant Dallas rookie Fashion Boy Vuitton was pressed into action for more than half of the game. He ended up scoring 9 points and tying for game-high in assists with 4.

PLAYER OF THE GAME

36 GVP...It became apparent early that the greatest Demon of all time, JUZAN DJINN, was not going to let his team yield its title on its home court. The Hall of Fame two guard rose to the occasion with his first POG of the Finals and second of the playoffs, following his 20-point Game 3 performance with a 21-point effort in Game 4. He delivered the 9th triple-double of his career and his first since the Season 56 playoffs, blocking a game-high 8 shots and pulling down 5 boards while adding a pair of assists. Djinn was 7 for 14 from the floor, connecting on 3 of 7 from deep and going 4 for 4 from the foul line. He is very much in the running to snag a record fourth Playoff MVP honor. He's currently averaging 15.7 points per game in the playoffs with 19 blocked shots.

Other 20-plus GVP performerws

33 GVP...Dallas point guard Mini Carfartt...29 points (3 killer treys)...2 rebounds...2 assists.

26 GVP...Philadelphia point guard Tut Ankhamun...22 points (3 treys)...4 assists.

24 GVP...Philadelphia's retiring shooting guard Itstha Bishop...17 points...6 rebounds...1 assist.

22 GVP...Dallas center Poop-Rupiah 3000...10 points (3slams)...8 rebounds...3 blocked shots...1 assist.

NEXT UP: The Game 5 decider. The second season in a row the Finals have gone the distance. In this one, the home team has won every game. Philadelphia is the home team.

ALL OF THE PAST PLAYOFF MVPS

 

Season 58 Finals Game 3...Dallas at Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA 76, DALLAS 55 (Slaughter Rule Enforced) Philly leads series 2-1

CHAMPS ON RUBBER LEGS

PHILADELPHIA -- The Philadelphia Phobia are one game away from their 17th MBA championship and first in 15 seasons after using their smothering defense to defeat the six-time defending titlists from Dallas, 76-55.

After winning Game 2 with a 77-point output and starting this game with a 22-point first-quarter, the Demons looked like they may have solved the league's top defense. But in the three quarters that followed, the Phobia allowed Dallas just 12, 11 and 10 points as they ratcheted the defensive pressure. When the smoke cleared, Philly had flustered their worthy opponent into 38.2 percent shooting and technically, a Slaughter Rule victory, achieved with 1 time unit remaining in the contest.

The two Dallas forwards who had combined for 42 points in the previous outing, were held to 14, while Philadelphia used a balanced offensive attack to slowly lower the boom.

The home team carried a 10-point lead going into the final quarter, then pulled away with a 9-0 run to start the fourth, set off by a 3-point bomb by guard Tut Ankhamum on the first time unit. 

The lone bright spot for Dallas was the play of Hall of Fame guard Juzan Djinn, who led all scorers with 20 points.

The one hope Dallas can cling to is that the home team has won every game in the Finals thus far, with the next contest in The Big D.

PLAYER OF THE GAME

29 GVP...For the second game in a row, a Philadelphia veteran rose up to record the first triple-double of their career. This time it was sixth-year center BLOB DYLAN turning the trickwith a 16-point, 8-rebound, 5-block performance that saw him dominate this season's All-MBA pivot, Poop-Rupiah 3000.  

With this performance, his second POG of the playoffs, Dylan's hat is in the ring for Playoff MVP. The 6-11 center was shut out on the boards in the previous game, but rallied to grab a game-high (tied) 8 boards in this victory. He was 8 for 12 from the floor with a slam, but it was his defense that set the tone as he blocked a game-high 5 shots, holding 3000 to 4 of 12 shooting and just 8 points.

Other 20-plus GVP performers

25 GVP...Dallas Hall of Fame guard Juzan Djinn...20 points (4 treys)...2 rebounds...2 assists...1 block

24 GVP...Philadelphia point guard Tut "the Pharoah" Ankhamun...19 points (3 treys)...5 assists.

24 GVP...Philadelphia's MVP forward Leonard Pinth Garnel...9 points...8 rebounds...4 assists...2 blocks...1 steal.

23 GVP...Philadelphia power forward Philibuck Davia...16 points...6 rebounds...1 assist. 

NEXT UP: The Finals return to Dallas, where the Demons look to force a Game 5.

A LOOK BACK

OTHER TWO TIMES THESE TEAMS MET IN FINALS…SEASONS 22 AND 23 (CALENDAR YEAR WAS 2007 AND 2008)

Season 22

Philadelphia won 3 games to 1

Playoff MVP was the great Curly Hogbottom of Philadelphia (20.5 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 8 blocks, 70.7 shooting pctg, 2 POGs

Philadelphia forward Cam Bodia earned Hall of Fame status

 

Season 23

Philadelphia wins 3 games to 1

Playoff MVP was Dallas Hall of Fame guard Joey Two Tones (19.2 ppg, 9 steals, 10 blocked shots, 78.6 percent from 3 with 11 made

Two-Tones made the Hall of Fame thanks to his MVP honor in his sixth and final season. He scored 25 points in his final game, an overtime loss.

Season 58 Finals...Game 2...Philadelphia at Dallas

DALLAS 77, PHILADELPHIA 72 (Series tied 1-1)

DALLAS PUTS BEST FOOT FORWARD(S)

DALLAS -- Led by forwards Nick Kenpoop and Venial Sinn, the six-time defending champion Demons gave Philadelphia notice that it would not be an easy task to wrest the MBA title from Dallas.In a game which was not as close as the final score might indicate, Dallas evened the series 1 to 1 with a 77-72 home court victory that broke Philadelphia's 7-game winning streak.

Discussing the Demons chances after Game 1, Tyler was of the opinion that Dallas forwards were not strong enough. Kenpoop and Sinn must have overheard the conversation.

Led by the two forwards under discussion, Dallas got off to a hot start and led 23-11 after the first quarter and increased that advantage to 41-27 at the half. At one point in the second quarter, the Demons led by 17, and the game appeared to be a rout. It didn't help Philly that their MBA MVP forward Leonard Pinth Garnel sat out much of the contest in foul trouble.

Philly, still suffering from Garnel's inability to contribute, managed to make things interesting in the second half, whittling the lead to five with plenty of time left in the contest (40 time units). But just as they did so, Garnel left the game with fouls with 38 ticks remaining.

Rebounding was a key in this game, with the victors out-doing the visitors 28-19. Center Blob Dylan of Philly was held rebound-less.

PLAYER OF THE GAME

37 GVP...Fifth-year Dallas forward VENIAL SINN surprised the hell out of everyone in Dallas by totally out-playing league MVP Leonard Pinth Garnel and earning his first POG of the campaign, regular or post-season. The 6-8 Sinn was a beast on the boards, pulling down a game-high 12 caroms while scoring a game-high 22 points, with 6 of his 10 field goals coming on rim-rattling slam dunks. He was 10 for 16 from the floor and 2 of 5 from the foul line, with 2 assists and a steal. After a fine regular season (his first as a starter), the twin brother of Sacramento forward Mordle Sinn came into this game struggling in the post-season, shooting just 37.5 percent with a 5 point per game average. He upped that scoring average to 9.5 with 5.5 rebounds per game. 

Other 20-plus GVP performers

31 GVP...Dallas power forward Nick Kenpoop...20 points (3 slams)...4 rebounds...3 steals...2 blocked shots...2 assists. 

26 GVP...Philadelphia point guard Tut "The Pharoah" Ankhamun...17 points (3 treys)...6 assists...3 rebounds.

26 GVP...Philadelphia's retiring shooting guard Itstha Bishop...first triple-double of career...15 points...6 assists...5 rebounds.

22 GVP...Philadelphia power forward Philibuck Davia...15 points (4 slams)...5 rebounds...1 assist...1 steal.

NEXT UP: The home team has defended its tabletop in both games and Philadelphia hopes this holds true as the team returns to The Slab of Brotherly Love for a ctucial Game 3.

Season 58 MBA Finals Game 1...Dallas at Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA 72, DALLAS 62

PHILLY SLAMS DOOR ON DALLAS COMEBACK

PHILADELPHIA -- The MBA's best defense stopped the league's top scoring team cold in the fourth quarter, holding the six-time-defending champion Dallas Demons to just 9 points in a huge 72-62 Game 1 Philadelphia victory to start the Season 58 Finals.

The visiting Demons, trailing and struggling to score for the entire first half, seemed to find their offense in the third quarter, scoring 20 points to take a 53-51 lead going into the last stanza before the Phobia turned their water all the way off.

That kind of defensive display has been present all season for Philly, who held opponents to just 65.3 points per game during the regular season and squashed Sacramento's output in the SemiFinals to 65 per contest. Dallas entered the Finals with an 8-game winning streak and the 11th best team scoring numbers of all time, but were treated just as rudely by Philadelphia, which extended its own win streak to 7 with this victory. 

Dallas' Hall of Fame guard, Juzan Djinn, had perhaps the roughest go of it offensively, scoring just 6 points on 2 of 9 shooting. 

MBA fans were treated to a battle royale at the center post, where two of the league's top pivots locked horns, both having brilliant games.

This was just the third time in history that these two franchises have met in the Finals. The other two times were way back in Seasons 22, with a repeat in Season 23...both won by Philadelphia.

PLAYER OF THE GAME

30 GVP...Dallas center POOP-RUPIAH 3000 was the prize of the Season 58 MBA draft, and is largely responsible for the Demons returning to the Finals despite the champs losing two Hall of Fame starters to retirement. Last season's Playoff MVP for Oklahoma City was fairly pedestian in the SemiFinals win against Los Angeles, but the All-MBA center rose to the occasion against the best defender in the MBA, Blob Dylan. The 6-9, fourth-year 3000 used 5 slam dunks on the way to a 16-point effort against Dylan, sparking the third-quarter rally that gave his club the lead. 3000 was 7 for 10 from the floor, 2 for 2 from the foul line, grabbed a game-high 9 boards, registered a game-high 2 thefts, assisted twice and blocked 1 shot.

Other 20-plus GVP perfomers

26 GVP...Philadelphia center Blob Dylan...19 points...4 rebounds...3 blocked shots.

25 GVP...Philadelphia point guard Tut Ankhamun...19 points...3 rebounds...3 assists.

23 GVP...Philadelphia's retiring shooting guard Itstha Bishop...14 points...5 rebounds...4 assists.

21 GVP...Dallas point guard Mini Carfartt...18 points...2 rebounds...1 assist.

21 GVP...Dallas power forward Nick Kenpoop...14 points...5 rebounds...1 assist...1 steal.

NEXT UP: The teams travel to Dallas, where the champion Demons need a win on their home court to even up this best of 5 Finals.

Season 58 ... SemiFinals Game 2...Philadelphia at Sacramento

PHILADELPHIA 65, SACRAMENTO 64

PHOBIA 'D' SNUFFS OUT R-DOGS

SACRAMENTO -- Philadelphia's Itstha Bishop force-missed what would have been a game-winning 3-pointer by Sacramento's Bellybutton Inquisition on the final time unit, giving the visiting Phobia a 65-64 win and a ticket to the team's first Finals in eight seasons.

That play was fiitting, as the league's best defensive team all season held the River Dogs to a paltry 37.7 percent shooting. The suffocating D was at its best in the final 24 time units.Trailing by 5, Philadelphia proceeded to shut out the River Dogs the rest of the way when any kind of a River Dogs score could have wrapped up the game for the home team.

The winning bucket, delivered at the 2 time unit mark, came from an unlikely source, with Phobia substitute guard Whitey "White Boy" White hitting a clutch medium jumper. Sacramento had held the lead for the previous 42 time units up to that point, but never by more than the aforementioned 5.

The Philadelphia win sets up the Season 58 Finals between the two winningest MBA teams in history (Philly with 16 championships) and Dallas (with 11 titles, including the last 6 in a row...a record).

PLAYER OF THE GAME

29 GVP...Sacramento point guard RABBIT MUNCHERS came into the playoffs after earning the MBA's Most Improved Player honor and a berth on the Second Team All-MBA, finishing third in the league in scoring at 19.1 ppg. He did not disappoint in the playoffs, tying for the leading scorer in Game 1 and posting a game-high 23 points in this soul-wrenching defeat. He was 7 for 14 from the floor, potting 2 out of 4 from deep and going 7 for 11 from the foul line. He dominated his man Tut Ankhamun, causing him to foul out early in the fourth quarter. While playing tough defense all game long, the 6-3 Munchers hit the boards for 6 rebounds as well. He finished with a post-season average of 20.5 per game...high for the two-game series. With Spring about to burst on the scene, he now has time to be a menace to Phil and other gardeners across the Midwest.

Other 20-plus GVP performers

26 GVP...Retiring Sacramento power forward Satan Israel...18 points (3 slams)...8 rebounds.

25 GVP...Philadelphia small forward Leonard Pinth Garnel, the MBA's regular season MVP...8th triple-double of his career and fourth this season...13 points...6 rebounds...5 assists...1 steal.

20 GVP...Philadelphia's retiring shooting guard Itstha Bishop...17 points (3 treys)...2 rebounds...1 assist.

NEXT UP: Dallas at Philadelphia Game 1 of Finals

Season 58 Playoffs...SemiFinals Game 2...Los Angeles at Dallas

 

DALLAS 90, LOS ANGELES 77

DEMONS ELIMINATE L.A. AGAIN

DALLAS -- For the second season in a row, the 6-time defending champion Dallas Demons swept the Los Angeles Big One in the playoff SemiFinals 2 games to 0; pounding them decisively in Game 2 90-77.

Led by Player of the Game point guard Mini Carfartt and running mate Juzan Djinn, Dallas took a 9-point lead at the half and then proceeded to blow out the visitors with a 34-point third quarter, while Carfart spent much of the time on the bench. 

There is no doubt that L.A. missed its Hall of Fame point guard Vicious Hick, injured on the first time unit of Game 1. Carfartt roasted his replacement, Donnie Dupons.

The Demons, heading for their seventh consecutive Finals, await the winner of Philadelphia vs. Sacramento to go after yet another championship with a starting lineup that changed 40 percent since last season.

PLAYER OF THE GAME

34 GVP...Fourth-year Dallas point guard MINI CARFARTT posted one POG during the regular season, having his best campaign with a 15.8 ppg average. He's doubled that POG number in two post-season games, grabbing his second in as many outings and scoring at a 27 per game rate. In this game he started with a 10 point first quarter, followed by 14 more in the second before finally calming down in the second half for a grand total of 31 points. He was 14 for 19 from the floor (2 for 4 from deep) and 1 for 1 from the foul line. He added 2 rebounds and 1 steal. And for the second game in a row, the 5-10 Carfartt concluded the theft with a slam dunk.

Other 20-plus GVP performers

33 GVP...Dallas Hall of Fame two guard Juzan Djinn...21 points (3 treys)...7 assists...3 blocks...1 rebound...1 steal.

30 GVP...Los Angeles two guard Pinky Toe...26 points...2 rebounds...2 assists.

24 GVP...Los Angeles power forward Grand Demur Fuyacho...18 points...3 rebounds...3 assists.

POINTS PREVENTED BY QUARTERS

Los Angeles...2...0...0...6  Total=8

Dallas.............0...0...7...4  Total=11

TURNOVERS CAUSED BY QUARTERS

Los Angeles...0...0...1...1  Total=2

Dallas.............1...2...0...2  Total=5

TOP PLAYERS POINTS PREVENTED

1. Phillip Mianus, Los Angeles 4

1. Nick Kenpoop, Dallas 4

3. Juzan Djinn, Dallas 3

TOP PLAYER IN TURNOVERS CAUSED

1. Poop-Rupiah 3000, Dallas 3

NEXT UP: The Playoffs return to Sacramento for the first time since Season 54 as the River Dogs look to stave off elimination by Philadelphia and win a post-season contest for the first time since Season 48...their last championship.

MOST PLAYOFF MVPS

3-Cappy Gambol

3-Juzan Djinn (Active)

3-Stu Nod

2-Chip Battoe

2-Dan Mann

2-Curly Hogbottom

2-Jonny Cockaroo

2-Boone Doggle

2-Hrundi V. Bakshi

2-Cock A. Doodledoo

2-Beezow Bop-Bop

2-Vicious Hick (Active)

2-Diss Reflexia

(all are Hall of Fame players with the exception of Doodledoo)

Did you know...the last time any player captured both the regular season and playoff MVP honors in the same campaign was nine seasons ago when Hall of Fame guard Jesse Shershot of San Jose turned the trick in Season 49.

 

Season 58 Playoffs...SemiFinals Game 1...Sacramento at Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA 72,  SACRAMENTO 66

PHOBIA'S 'D' TOO MUCH FOR R-DOGS

PHILADELPHIA -- The Philadelphia defense, best by far in the MBA this season, prevented 19 River Dogs points in this 72-66 Game 1 win, six more than Sacramento's could muster, and six was the margin of victory.

Down by as much as 10 in the third quarter, Sacramento closed to within 3 points twice in the fourth and by 4 with 18 left, but they could not get any closer.

The 6-11, 6-10, 6-10 front line of the victors, who captured their fifth consecutive win, pounded out a 28-19 rebounding advantage to grab their first playoff win in eight seasons. And while the Phobia shot 60.7 percent from the floor, they held the visitors to just 47.4 percent. 

Sacramento's biggest advantage came from beyond the arc, where they out-did Philly 6 treys to zip.

POINTS PREVENTED BY QUARTERS

Sacramento...0...11...0...2   Total=13

Philadelphia..4...10...4...1   Total=19

Individual leaders points prevented

1. Blob Dylan, Philadelphia 7

1. Leonard Pinth Garnel, Philadelphia 7

3. Satan Israel, Sacramento 6

TURNOVERS CAUSED

Philadelphia caused 2 turnovers, both in the first quarter

Sacramento caused 0 turnovers

The individual who led in turnovers caused was Tut Ankhamun of Philadelphia with 2.

PLAYER OF THE GAME

28 GVP...We said in the preview for this series that Philadelphia had a major advantage at center, and the Phobia's BLOB DYLAN immediately asserted that upper hand in the pivot in Game 1. The 6-11 sixth-year defensive genius dominated his man Ab3rd, tying for most points prevented while also tying for game-high scoring honors with 18 points and game-high in rebounds with 7 and blocked shots with 2,  adding 1 assist. He was 8 of 12 from the floor and 2 for 2 from the foul line in a continuation of what has been his best offensive season. 

Other 20-plus GVP performers

27 GVP...Philadelphia power forward Philibuck Davia...18 points...7 rebounds...2 assists.

22 GVP...Philadelphia small forward Leonard Pinth Garnel...12 points...6 rebounds...3 assists...1 blocked shot...tied for most points prevented.

21 GVP...Philadelphia point guard Tut "the Pharoa" Ankhamun...10 points...8 assists...2 rebounds...1 steal...game-high 2 turnovers caused

21 GVP...Sacramento point guard Rabbit Munchers...18 points (5 treys)...2 rebounds...1 assist.

20 GVP...Sacramento's retiring power forward Satan Israel...17 points (3 slams)...3 rebounds...third in points prevented.

NEXT UP: The Champs from Dallas look to close out Los Angeles in Big D.

Season 58 Playoffs...SemiFinals Game 1...Dallas at Los Angeles

DALLAS 75, LOS ANGELES 66

DEMONS DOWN HICK-LESS L.A.

LOS ANGELES -- The very first roll of the dice in the Season 58 playoffs was disastrous for Los Angeles, as the fans of the Big One watched Hall of Fame point guard Vicious Hick go down to a 3-game injury, seriously damaging the team's hopes for a championship run.

L.A., with usually reliable guard Donnie DuPons in for Hick, hung in there for most of the contest...even leading at the end of the first and third quarters, before coming apart in the fourth to lose to the six-time-defending champs from Dallas, 75-66.

The Demons, who came into post-season riding a 6-game winning streak, avenged an 80-58 shellacking by L.A. that kicked off the campaign, as they held the number one shooting percentage team (60.6 percent) to just 45 percent accuracy. Dupons came up small in that department, going just 3 for 12 from the floor.

Dallas was forced to play rookie forward Fashion Boy Vuitton for the better part of the game when Demons' forward Nick Kenpoop sucker punched Phillip Mianus of L.A., leading to a brawl and the ejection of Kenpoop.  

The home team could not capitalize on a 10-rebound advantage, and as the game slipped away late in the fourth, Los Angeles coach Naceg Gecan, with red-faced frustration, laid into the referees, leading to a technical foul with 6 time units remaining.

PLAYERS OF THE GAME

26 GVP...Hall of Fame guard JUZAN DJINN took control of the game in the fourth quarter like he has so many times in the past for Dallas. The All-MBA stud did not have a great shooting day, going just 3 for 12 (1 for 4 from deep and 6 for 6 from the foul line), but contributed, as usual, in many other ways in this win. He led everyone in assists with 6, tied for team rebounding honors with 4 and  blocked a game-high 3 shots. His man, Pinky Toe, did not score in the second half and fouled out of the game.

AND

26 GVP...Djinn's running mate at point guard MINI CARFARTT led everyone in scoring with 23 points, going 11 for 16 from the floor, including 1 for 4 from deep, 2 rebounds and a steal that ended with a slam dunk by the 5-10 thief. Los Angeles came into the series boasting the best guard combo, but Djinn and Carfartt demonstrated their potency in this game. Carfartt pretty much destroyed DuPons.

Other 20-plus GVP performers

23 GVP...Los Angeles center Otzi "The Frozen Hunter" Bolzano...13 points...8 rebounds...2 assists.

22 GVP...Los Angeles power forward Grand Demur Fuyacho...14 points...7 rebounds...1 block.

20 GVP...Los Angeles shooting guard Pinky Toe...12 points...5 assists...3 rebounds.

NEXT UP: Game 1 of the Semis with Sacramento at Philadelphia...two teams that finished last place in the previous season return to the post-season after long absences.

 

Season 58 Playoff Preview

 This post-season is the most unpredictable of the past seven campaigns; the last six of  which were won by the overwhelming favorite, the Dallas Demons.

The Demons are definitely in the mix again this campaign, with a chance to add to their unprecedented string of championships. But they are no longer the locked-in Las Vegas prime pick. 

For the first time in MBA history, the team with the worst record of the four playoff teams (meaning Sacramento) comes into the post-season with 7 victories. Philadelphia leads the way at 9-1, followed by Los Angeles and Dallas at 8-2. So picking a champion out of this quartet is educated guess-work at best.

--The Big One from L.A. has the best guard combonation...and for that matter, probably the best forward combo as well. 

-- The Phobia, the all-time winningest franchise in MBA history with 16 titles, is looking for its first championship since Season 43, 15 campaigns ago. Coincidentally, Season 43 was the last time Philly posted a 9-1 record during the regular season. This has been the longest stretch in the team's history without winning it all. In fact, this is the first playoff appearance for Philly in eight seasons.

-- Half of the post-season field from last season returns to the playoff hunt, with Dallas and Los Angeles both back. The Demons took out The Big One in last season's SemiFinals 2 games to 0. 

-- The other half of the post-season field - Philadelphia and Sacramento - both finished in last place during the previous campaign, with the River Dogs carrying the added burden of a potential change of venues since they had back-to-back last place campaigns.

-- Retiring Sacramento forward Satan Israel still has a shot, albeit a long one, to make the Hall of Fame. One award shy of the grand distinction, a ring and/or a Playoff MVP award would turn the trick. That won't be easy with Philadelphia standing in the way of the River Dogs.

-- Tyler predicts a Finals between Los Angeles and Philadelphia, with the Phobia coming away champs. He sees L.A. guard Pinky Toe as the Playoff MVP. (which would be the first MVP of his fine career).

-- None of the four playoff teams had an impactful rookie on their respective squads.

-- The four playoff teams played six games against each other during the regular season. Los Angeles was 2-1, Philadelphia was 2-1, Sacramento was 1-1 and Dallas was 1-2. The results were as follows:

L.A. beat Dallas 80-58 on the road

Philly beat Dallas 76-75 at home

Dallas beat Philly 79-68 at home

Philly beat L.A. 70-66 on the road

L.A. beat Sacramento 82-79 at home

Sacramento beat L.A. 79-76 at home

The Semifinal matchups this season are:

Dallas at Los Angeles...A rematch of last season's Semis in which the Demons dispatched The Big One 2 games to 0. L.A. pounded Dallas in a cross-over game to start the season. Expect this one to go three games.

Sacramento at Philadelphia...Sacramento guards are going to have to shine brightly for the R-Dogs to get past Philly. The Phobia has a huge advantage at the center position. 

NEXT UP: Game 1...Dallas at Los Angeles

Season 58...Leaders and Awards

PRESEASON PREDICTIONS HONORS GO TO DAVE…2-1, the key being Juzan Djinn pick by Dave for All-MBA…both picked 3000

 

 

Dave

G-Hall of Famer Vicious Hick of Los Angeles

G-Hall of Famer Juzan Djinn of Dallas

C-Poop-Rupiah 3000 of Dallas

F-Eddie "the Milkman" Creamer of San Jose

F-Erik A. Crocidale of Seattle

 

Tyler

G-Hall of Famer Vicious Hick of Los Angeles

G-Itstha Bishop of Philadelphia

C-Poop-Rupiah 3000 of Dallas

F-Eddie "the Milkman" Creamer of San Jose

F-Eric A. Crocidale of Seattle

 

LEAGUE MVP 

Dave picks Juzan Djinn of Dallas

Tyler picks Poop-Rupiah 3000 of Dallas

 

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR

forward Zach "Zing-Zing" Zigler of  Gillette (unanimous)

 

Only four centers over 20 GVP, but those four all made the Top Ten list for all positions. 

NEXT UP: PLAYOFF PREVIEW...ANY PREDICTIONS FROM YOU?

AS TYLER OBSERVED...GOING FROM ZERO AWARDS ON HIS CARD FOR THE FIRST FOUR SEASONS OF HIS CAREER TO LEAGUE MVP IS SOMEWHAT ASTONISHING. THE MOVE BY TYLER TO TRADE FOR PHILIBUCK DAVIA, ALLOWING GARNEL TO MOVE TO SMALL FORWARD FREED THE LATENT TALENT OF THE FORMER SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE HOST OF SHORT ATTENTION SPAN THEATER.

WITH THIS SEASON'S ADDITION OF AN ALL STAR GAME STAR AND THIS SIXTH ALL-MBA FOIL STAR, THE GREAT HALL OF FAME GUARD JUZAN DJINN HAS MOVED PAST MAX PAYNE, CHIP BATTOE AND FINALLY, NAF NAF ON THE MBA PYRAMID OF GREATNESS TO RANK JUST ONE AWARD BEHIND THE ALL TIME LEADER CURLY HOGBOTTOM. DJINN HAS 24 AWARDS (5 MVPS, 6 ALL-MBAs, 6 RINGS AND 7 ALL STAR GAME APPEARANCES. HE CAN TIE OR CLAIM THE TOP SPOT WITH A PLAYOFF MVP, ANOTHER CHAMPIONSHIP RING OR BOTH.

THE TOP 10 ALL-TIME MBA LIST

1. Curly Hogbottom...25 awards

2. Juzan Djinn...24 awards

3. Naf Naf...23 awards

4. Chip Battoe...22 awards

4. Max Payne...22 awards

6. Uncle Bob Masterson...21 awards

7. Hrundi V. Bakshi...19 awards

7. Saggital Occlusal...19 awards

7. Cappy Gambol...19 awards

10. Jesse Shershot...18 awards

10. Mamadou Zongo...18 awards

10. Boone Doggle...18 awards

NEXT UP: Position rankings and Main Standings Page with breakdowns

 

Season 58 Featured Game No. 10...Los Angeles at Sacramento

SACRAMENTO 79, LOS ANGELES 76

R-DOGS BEST BIG ONE

SACRAMENTO -- This time it was Sacramento (now 7-3) by 3 points, 79-76, with the River Dogs hanging on for payback for an earlier 82-79 loss to these same Los Angeles Big One (now 8-2).

In an excruciating fourth quarter in which they watched their 10-point lead get all the way down to 1, the R-Dogs could manage just 9 points as L.A. closed the gap with a series of blocked shots by Phillip Mianus. But, nursing a 1-point lead, Sacramento point guard Rabbit Munchers hit a welcome trey with 8 ticks left to provide some breathing room. But the lead was back to 1 in an instant as Los Angeles pivot Otzi Bolzano immediately scored, was fouled and hit his free throw. 

The winning bucket came at the 5 time unit mark when POG Satan Israel of Sacramento took control at the top of the key, drove to the cup and slammed home what turned out to be the game-winner. 

So now we have four threats to win the title this season, with a quartet of playoff teams who have all won at least 7 games.

PLAYER OF THE GAME

36 GVP...Retiring power forward SATAN ISRAEL of Sacramento was the difference in this game, scoring a game-high 32 points despite missing essentially all of the third quarter with a recurring injury. The 6-8 Israel, in his eighth and final campaign, was due for a big scoring outing. With guards Rabbit Munchers and Bellybutton Inquisition carrying a majority of the scoring load all season, Israel's offensive numbers were the lowest of his career. He picked an excellent time to rectify that situation, hitting his first 10 shots of the game as he notched 12 points in the first quarter, followed by 15 more in the second. His final total of 32 came on 13 of 16 shooting, including 3 slam dunks and 6 for 7 from the foul line. He is now averaging 14.5 points per game. He dominated his man, Grand Demur Fuyacho, who was returning to the Big One lineup from injury for the first time in four games. If The R-Dogs are going to do anything in the post season, they'll need Israel to be a productive part of their offense...and to stay healthy.

Other 20-plus GVP performers

25 GVP...Sacramento point guard Rabbit Munchers...18 points (4 treys)...4 rebounds...2 assists...1 steal.

25 GVP...Los Angeles Hall of Fame point guard Vicious Hick...16 points (3 treys)...6 assists...3 rebounds.

24 GVP...Los Angeles center Otzi "the Frozen Hunter" Bolzano...17 points...7 rebounds.

23 GVP...Los Angeles shooting guard Pinky Toe...18 points...3 rebounds...2 assists.

A LOOK AT THE TIGHT MVP RACE

This is one of the closest MVP races in recent memory, with three, maybe four players squarely in the hunt.

Prior to this Featured Game, the race looks as follows:

1. guard Pinky Toe of Los Angeles…32.3 GVP points

1. forward Leonard Pinth Garnel of Philadelphia… 32.3 GVP points

3. Hall of Fame guard Juzan Djinn of Dallas… 31.4 GVP points

4. center Poop-Rupiah 3000 of Dallas…30.4 GVP points

MBA Standings … Season 58

EAST DIVISION

PHILADELPHIA………8-1 (clinched playoffs)

DALLAS………………7-2

OKLAHOMA CITY…..4-5

CHARLESTON……….3-6 (eliminated)

MILWAUKEE………..1-8 (eliminated)

 

WEST DIVISION

LOS ANGELES….8-2 (clinched playoffs and first place in division)

SACRAMENTO… 7-3 (clinched playoffs)

GILLETTE…………4-6 (eliminated)

SEATTLE………….3-6 (eliminated)

SAN JOSE…………2-8 (eliminated)

NEXT UP:  Philadelphia at Oklahoma City. The Phobia could clinch both first place in the East and home court advantage for the entire playoffs with a road win against the Lariats. Philly, on a 3-game winning streak, handled Oklahoma City fairly easily 76-63 in their first meeting, with Phobia center Blob Dylan domineering during the proceedings.

 

Season 58, Featured Game No. 9...Oklahoma City at Dallas

DALLAS 90, OKLAHOMA CITY 65 (Slaughter Rule Enforced)

DEMONS DESTROY LARIATS

DALLAS -- With this 90-65 manhandling by Dallas of Oklahoma City, the playoff teams are set for Season 58. All that remains is determining first place in the East in a race between current leader Philadelphia and the six-time-defending-champion Demons and who gets home court advantage throughout the post-season.

This Featured Game was competitive up until halftime. In the third quarter, Dallas outscored the visitors 20-7 and it was all over. 

The Demons, who possess the longest current winning streak at 5, crushed Oklahoma City defensively, preventing 19 would-be points.

The victors shot 71.2 percent from the floor to just 50.9 percent for the Lariats.

Points prevented...Dallas 19, Oklahoma City 3

Turnovers caused: Oklahoma City 4, Dallas 3

Tops in points prevented: Juzan Djinn of Dallas with 13, Poop-Rupiah 3000 of Dallas with 4

Tops in turnovers caused: Oblio Assbag of Oklahoma City with 2

PLAYER OF THE GAME

27 GVP...Role-playing power forward NICK KENPOOP of Dallas stepped up and claimed POG honors for the first time this season with a game-high 20-point performance. The 6-10, fourth-year man dominated Oklahoma City's L.S. Island, scoring on 8 of 9 shots, slamming home 3 dunks and going 4 of 6 from the foul line. The sharp passing big man tied for game-high in assists with 4 while pulling down 3 boards. A steady, if not spectacular piece in the last two Dallas championships, Kenpoop is now scoring at a modest-but-steady 12 points per game, which is tied for his best scoring season.

Other 20-plus GVP performers

23 GVP...Dallas small forward Venial Sinn...19 points...3 assists...1 rebound.

23 GVP...Oklahoma City small forward Rumpy Pumpy Lewis...17 points...3 rebounds...3 assists.

20 GVP...Dallas Hall of Fame two guard Juzan Djinn...11 points...4 rebounds...3 blocked shots...2 assists...game-high 13 points prevented.

MBA Standings … Season 58

EAST DIVISION

PHILADELPHIA………7-1 (clinched playoffs)

DALLAS………………7-2 (clinched playoffs)

OKLAHOMA CITY…..4-5

CHARLESTON……….3-6 (eliminated)

MILWAUKEE………..1-7 (eliminated)

 

WEST DIVISION

LOS ANGELES….7-1 (clinched playoffs and first place in division)

SACRAMENTO… 6-3 (clinched playoffs)

GILLETTE…………4-5 (eliminated)

SEATTLE………….3-6 (eliminated)

SAN JOSE…………1-8 (eliminated)

NEXT UP:  Bracket 9 concludes with first-place Philly at last-place Milwaukee. The Phobia is still jostling for first in the East with Dallas as well as home court throughout the playoffs. They held Milwaukee to 53 measly points in their first meeting, winning by 15 behind Itstha Bishop and Leonard Pinth Garnel’s duo POG performances.

 

Season 58 Featured Game No. 8...Sacramento at Los Angeles

 

LOS ANGELES 82, SACRAMENTO 79

L.A. comes back in barn-burner

LOS ANGELES -- The Los Angeles Big One (now 7-1), trailing by 9 points with 54 time units left in the game, rallied to come all the way back for an electrifying 82-79 victory over second-place Sacramento (now 5-3). 

The victory clinches a playoff spot for L.A.; its second in a row. They join Philadelphia as guaranteed post-season teams.

The Big One used a trio of 3-pointers by Vicious Hick in the fourth quarter and took the lead for good on a short jumper by center Otzi Bolzano with 3 time units remaining. 

The victory gives L.A. its first 7-win season in eight campaigns; the most since Season 50 when they went 9-1 in a championship year.

PLAYER OF THE GAME

35 GVP..."MIGHTY MITE" BELLYBUTTON INQUISITION was the star of the show for the Sacramento River Dogs in this tough loss. The 5-11, 6th-year veteran scored a game-high 27 points in a head-to-head shootout with league scoring leader Pinky Toe of L.A. Inquisition got off to a great start, scoring 11 points in the first quarter on the way to a 12 for 20 shooting day, with 1 slam dunk. He was also 3 for 3 from the foul line and tied for game-high in assists with 4 and team-high in rebounds with 4. A three-time all star, this hard-driving back court player has become sharper with the passage of time. He's scoring at a career-best 17.6 points per game and has sparked the revitalized Sacramento franchise after coming to them in the free agent draft. 

Other 20-plus GVP performers

26 GVP...Retiring Los Angeles forward Phillip Mianus...15 points...5 rebounds...4 blocked shots...1 assist...1 steal.

25 GVP...Hall of Fame Los Angeles point guard Vicious Hick...17 points (4 treys)...6 rebounds...2 assists.

20 GVP...Los Angeles center Otzi "the Frozen Hunter" Bolzano...13 points...5 rebounds...1 blocked shot...1 assist

25 GVP...Los Angeles shooting guard Pinky Toe...21 points...3 assists...1 rebound.

MBA Standings … Season 58

EAST DIVISION

PHILADELPHIA………7-1 (clinched playoffs)

DALLAS…………………6-2

OKLAHOMA CITY…..4-4

CHARLESTON……….3-5 (eliminated)

MILWAUKEE………..1-7 (eliminated)

 

WEST DIVISION

LOS ANGELES….7-1 (clinched playoffs)

SACRAMENTO… 5-3

SEATTLE………….3-4

GILLETTE…………2-5

SAN JOSE…………1-7 (eliminated)

NEXT UP: Bracket 8 concludes with Seattle hosting Gillette. A win would put the home team Stampede just one game behind Sacramento for the second playoff berth. But there is no guarantee. The Humps bested Seattle in Bracket 6 with a 75-68 setback behind the hot shooting of Maboroshi No Hotcake. 

 

Season 58 Featured Game No. 7...Philadelphia at Los Angeles

PHILADELPHIA 70, LOS ANGELES 66

DEFENSE PREVAILS 

IN SHOWDOWN

LOS ANGELES -- Led by the efforts of Tut Ankhamun, Blob Dylan and Leonard Pinth Garnel, the league-leading defense of the Philadelphia Phobia (now 6-1) held the MBA's top offense 19 points below their average as they triumphed 70-66 in this cross-over showdown of first place teams.

The loss was the first blemish on The Big One's record (now 6-1) and improved the East vs. West record to 5-2 this campaign.

PLAYERS OF THE GAME

25 GVP...Los Angeles shooting guard PINKY TOE led all scorers in this losing effort, with a 20-point performance in which the fifth-year man was 9 for 16 (2 of 5 from deep, 0 of 1 from foul line). He added 3 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 steal. Toe, who is shooting for his second All-MBA foil star, is second in the league in scoring with a 22-points per game average. He's leading the L.A. squad in scoring for the fifth straight season. This was his fourth POG, tying him for the lead league.

25 GVP...The league's best defensive center, BLOB DYLAN of Los Angeles, scored a team-high 19 points in this huge win, giving him a career-best 15.3 ppg scoring average this season. The 6-11 sixth-year man was 9 for 11 from the floor (1 for 1 from the foul line) with a team-high 5 rebounds and the team's only blocked shot. It was the first POG of the season for Dylan.

25 GVP...6-10 small forward LEONARD PINTH GARNEL is having a banner year in this, his fifth campaign. He's leading the league in rebounding, is third in assists and is averaging a career-best 13.4 ppg. In this win he was 7 for 10 from the floor (1 for 3 from deep), handing out a game-high 7 assists and pulling down 3 rebounds. He's on track for his first All-MBA star and is currently tied with Toe for most POGs in the league with 4. 

Other 20-plus GVP performers

23 GVP...Retiring Los Angeles forward Phillip Mianus...9 points...8 rebounds...3 blocks...2 assists...1 steal.

22 GVP...Retiring Philadelphia shooting guard Itstha Bishop...16 points...3 assists...2 rebounds...1 steal

MBA Standings … Season 58

EAST DIVISION

PHILADELPHIA………6-1

DALLAS………………4-2

OKLAHOMA CITY…..3-3

CHARLESTON……….3-3

MILWAUKEE………..1-5

 

WEST DIVISION

LOS ANGELES….6-1

SACRAMENTO… 5-2

SEATTLE………….3-4

GILLETTE…………2-5

SAN JOSE…………0-7 (eliminated)

NEXT UP: Last-place Milwaukee at Dallas. A loss by the Greyhounds would eliminate them from playoff contention, joining San Jose in that category. The defending champion Demons bested a surprisingly game Milwaukee club in their first meeting 83-77 behind the POG heroics of center Poop-Rupiah 3000.