DALLAS 77, OKLAHOMA CITY 71 (OVERTIME)
DEMONS 'D' WINS THE DAY
DALLAS -- The difference in this hard-fought overtime win for Dallas (now 2-1) was its superior defense, which most notably showed up in the short overtime period where the Demons completely shut out the visiting Lariats (now 0-3), leading to a 77-71 triumph.
These two teams came into the game as the two top scoring teams in the MBA, but it was Dallas preventing 11 points overall to just 2 for Oklahoma City, that made all the difference. Ten blocked shots by the Demons to just 2 for the Lariats told part of the story, as did 9 turnovers caused by the victors to just 3 by the visitors. Meanwhile, Oklahoma City held a gigantic rebounding advantage in the game (29-10) to keep them in contention. But the only points prevented by the Lariats (2) came in the first quarter.
The biggest defensive play came at the horn in regulation, when Dallas power forward Nick Kenpoop blocked what would have been a game-winning basket by Kevin Duran-Duran. It was Kenpoop's game-leading 6th blocked shot of the day.
As has been its unfortunate wont...Oklahoma City played another tough team close...coming back from a 10-point deficit...only to watch victory elude them again.
PLAYER OF THE GAME
34 GVP...Five-year Dallas veteran MINI CARFARTT and Oklahoma City rookie Shelly Bogturtle had a point guard battle royale, with the 5-10 Carfartt and company edging his opponent for POG honors. Carfartt was too much to handle offensively, becoming the third player this season to top the 30-point mark as he did so on the dot. His 30 points came on 13 for 19 shooting (2 for 3 from deep and 2 for 2 at the foul line). He added 2 assists, 1 rebound and 1 steal and was tied for second in causing turnovers. Plus, he scored 4 of the 6 Dallas overtime points. He's now averaging 16 points a game for the campaign.
Other 20-plus GVP performers
33 GVP...Oklahoma City rookie point guard Shelly Bogturtle...first triple-double...21 points...5 rebounds...6 assists...1 blocked shot.
31 GVP...Dallas power forward Nick Kenpoop...first triple-double...16 points...6 blocks...5 assists...3 rebounds...1 steal...tops in points prevented and tops in turnovers caused.
26 GVP...Oklahoma City rookie center Bobby "the Squirrel" Diggenbury off the bench...16 points...8 rebounds...2 assists.
22 GVP...Oklahoma City small forward Rumpy Pumpy Lewis...12 points...8 rebounds...1 steal...1 assist...second in turnovers caused.
20 GVP...Dallas Hall of Fame two guard Juzan Djinn...14 points...4 blocked shots...1 rebound...1 assist
Points prevented by quarters and overtime
Oklahoma City...2...0...0...0...0 Total=2
Dallas.................3...0...4...4...0 Total=11
Top players in points prevented
1. Nick Kenpoop, Dallas...8
2. Juzan Djinn, Dallas...2
2. Kevin Duran-Duran, Oklahoma City 2
Turnovers caused by quarters and overtime
Oklahoma City...0...0...2...1...0 Total=3
Dallas.................4...1...1...3...0 Total=9
Top players in turnovers caused
1. Nick Kenpoop, Dallas...4
2. Mini Carfartt, Dallas...2
2. Rumpy Pumpy Lewis, Oklahoma City...2
BONUS
ONE OBSERVATION ABOUT EACH TEAM SO FAR
LOS ANGELES…leads
the league in points differential at plus 11.5 in 2 games
SAN JOSE…has
yielded just 63 points per game compared to league-worst 85.3 last season.
SEATTLE…after
being a preseason playoff favorite two seasons in a row, has again started 1-2
SACRAMENTO…pitiful
free throwing at 53.3 percent (58.2 last season) hasn’t hurt….yet.
GILLETTE…worst
point differential in the league at minus 13.5.
PHILADELPHIA…Best
defense last season (65.3 per game) is even better at 58.2 per game.
OKLAHOMA CITY…offense
is second in league but they can’t stop anyone…defense is worst in MBA.
MILWAUKEE…front
court lacks even one player shooting at 60 percent clip.
CHARLESTON…MBA’s
smallest lineup leads the league in rebounding.
DALLAS…Lost top
scoring center in league to free agency, but leads the league in scoring.
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