Power Prevails. Three Headed Monsters Fall in Ice Cube's Big Three Playoffs
SteemSports Presenter:@mateonav53
SteemSports Editor:@scottybuckets
The first two games of the night came without any playoff expectations. Ghost Ballers faced off against Ball Hogs while Killer Three's squared up with last year's champions, Trilogy. They didn't air the first game of Ghost Ballers vs. Ball Hogs because of coverage restrictions, but Ball Hogs came out with a victory over the lowly Ghost Ballers.
Killer Three's played a tight ballgame, holding down a sizable lead all throughout the first and second halves. They came within one point of victory when Trilogy spurred up a last-minute rally to pull within two, 47-49. Josh Powell got sent to the line with the opportunity to win the game and he closed it out, 51-47. Head coaches and notorious NBA trash talkers Charles Oakley and Rick Mahorn got into a serious exchange of trash talk in the waning seconds, which was the best thing the nearby fans could've asked for in the final games of the season.
Our first playoff game pitted #1 Power against #4 Tri-State. It was an expectedly chippy affair, with Power gaining the advantage at the close of the half, 26-23. It was a tight, heated game continuing into the second. Tons of ties and narrow lead changes. Jermaine O'Neal of Tri-State was doing a good job of challenging Big Baby Davis, who had been bullying his way throughout the Big 3 in the leadup to this game.
Both teams were tied at 47-47. A three-pointer for either would win the game for either side. They both got two-pointers in the paint to push it to 49-all. Big Baby had the ball with Jermaine O'Neal guarding him, and he didn't realize time was running out! He let the shot clock expire and surrendered the ball to Tri-State with a chance to win. Big Baby went to the free throw line several plays later with the game on the line, and secured the win 51-49!
#3-seeded Three's Company and #2 Three-Headed Monsters were the final playoff game of the night. 3's Company came out strong and fast, jumping out to a 25-14 first-half lead over 3 Headed. Andre Emmet was having a great first half for 3's Company, and he came out blazing in the second half to jump ahead 30-16. Andre Emmet kept up the onslaught with a four-pointer to bring the score to 43-28, which officially put 3-Headed Monsters on the ropes. Seven points needed for victory. 3-Headed Monsters coach Gary Payton looked so upset with his teams play that I swear he was about to suit up and D someone up. 3 Headed Monsters just couldn't stop Three's Company and Andre Emmit. He played so well partly because he was playing in front of all his friends and family in his hometown of Dallas, Texas. The match was never in doubt since the start, and our final score was 50-28.
What an incredible game between Power and Tri-State. Tensions were high and it felt like an actual NBA playoff game. On the other hand, what a disappointment from 3 Headed Monsters. They were the last squad to remain undefeated in the regular season, and this poor showing seemed an uncharacteristic way for them to go out. The Big Three Championship Game will take place on August 24th, in Brooklyn, New York.
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What impressed me mostra was Maggette's face at the end of the game: he was really Happy to go to the final. A tough game for the best teamof the tournament. I think that POWER will win the title even if 3's company had a great Emmit in the semifinal.
Sounds like Andre Emmit was absolute beast! Very surprised with the lackluster play of 3 Headed Monsters like you pointed out. Figured that would have been competitive too! Sounds like the first playoff game was a really good one though - a little bit of everything - chippy play, a ton of back-n-forth lead changes, and some excitement in the closing moments! Who do you like in the Championship my man?