Week 3 of the K1 Fall League is in the books as we head into the Labor Day Weekend. Catch up on all the action here, as just one remaining team is undefeated in the K1 Fall League.
12:30 pm - Spurs 75, Bucks 44
In the Week 3 game of the week, the Spurs showed that they aren't ready just yet to pass off the torch as one of the league's elite. In what was anticipated by many as a colossal matchup between East and West opponents, this one was never really in doubt, as the Spurs jumped out to a big lead and led by a score of 40-17 at the half. For the Bucks, who shot an abysmal 17-57 from the field, they were unable to get anything going, as only three players scored in double figures. The Spurs meanwhile had four players with very big games. Dennis Koger, who got off to a blazing hot start in the first half, finished with 18 points and 7 rebounds. Ray Lawrence led the way with 19 points and 4 assists, while Ryan Kvasnicka and Trey Johnson had 13 points and 12 points respectively. The Bucks suffered from a lack of size on the inside, as the Spurs won the battle on the boards, 42-28. Lou Griffith led the Bucks with 13 points, while Kale Maupin and Jordan Logan each had 10 points. The Spurs improve to 3-1 and will face the Mavericks (0-4) at 5:30 pm on September 12th. The Bucks suffer their first loss of the season, falling to 2-1, and will look to bounce back against the Celtics (1-2) on September 12th at 3:30 pm.
1:30 pm - Heat 58, Celtics 52
The Heat got back in the win column on Sunday afternoon, thanks to a dynamic opening five minutes to the game, where they would jump out to a big lead. For the Heat, 58-52 winners against the Celtics, they had to hold off a resillient effort from Mendi Naylor and the Celtics. Naylor finished with 16 points, as the Celtics clawed back from a 36-21 halftime deficit. Terrell Hendrix had another impressive performance, scoring 19 points to go with four steals. Octavius Jefferson had 12 points, and Alonzo King had nine points. Despite not having Blake Graham in the lineup, the Heat were able to impose their will for the first 25 minutes of the game, running up and down the court, forcing steals - 13 in total - and dunking the ball on numerous occasions. The Celtics would eventually settle in to the pace of play, but not until it was a bit too late. Jonathan Townsend was an animal on the boards, finishing with ten rebounds. Jay Slone had seven points and seven rebounds of his own. The Heat will face the Bulls (1-2) on September 12th at 2:30 pm, while the Celtics have their first doubleheader of the K1 Fall League. They play the Bucks (2-1) at 3:30 pm and the Nets (1-2) at 4:30 pm.
2:30 pm - Lakers 54, Suns 53
In what many believed would be a landslide win for the Lakers, the Suns shocked everyone, in a thrilling contest that went down to the wire. Trailing 53-52 with 10.9 seconds remaining, the Lakers brought the ball up the court, and Tone Brooks hit a pair of free throws in the final few seconds, to give the Lakers a 54-53 win over the Suns, and restore heartbeat to Lakers fans in the gymnasium. While the Suns really struggled in their first two games, they looked like a completely different team on Sunday, as they shared the ball, crashed the glass, and made timely shots. The Lakers on the other hand, did not share the ball like we have seen in recent games, and went 0-16 from three point land. Quon Shaw led the Lakers with 15 points, thanks in large part to seven offensive rebounds. Tone Brooks had 14 points, and LJ Harris had eleven points to go with seven rebounds. The Suns were led by Devonte Barnes, who had 22 points and ten rebounds, in what was his best game in the K1 League. Team captain Michael Lonergan Jr. had another solid game, scoring 13 points and grabbing five rebounds. The Lakers improve to 3-0 with the win, and had to go right back on the court against the Mavericks. The Suns meanwhile fall to 0-3 and have a rematch in Week 4 against the same Lakers team at 1:30 pm.
3:30 pm - Lakers 80, Mavericks 75
Despite 30 points from Braijon Thomas, the Mavericks were unable to top the Lakers, in what was their best game so far in the K1 Fall League. Following its scare against the Suns, the Lakers shot the ball significantly better, along the way to an 80-75 win against the Mavericks. LJ Harris was electric, scoring 23 points and snatching six rebounds. Tone Brooks had 22 points, Andre Robertson Jr. had 17 points, and Quon Shaw added 12 points of his own. The Lakers also managed to make 13/15 Free Throws, and shot nearly 50% from three point land in the much improved shooting effort. The Mavericks shot over 50% from the field, but struggled to get stops when they needed them. In addition to Thomas' 30 points, Patrick Allen had 16 points and ten rebounds. Jamari Washington continued his solid play with eleven points, while Antwan Peterson had 8 points and 10 rebounds. Despite shooting 32/60 overall, the Mavericks went just 8/25 from three, while the Lakers were 7/16. The Lakers improve to 4-0 with the doubleheader sweep, and are now the lone undefeated team in the K1 Fall League. They will take on the Warriors (3-1) in a massive West Division showdown on September 12th at 12:30 pm, in the Week 4 game of the week. The Mavericks meanwhile fall to 0-3, and were back at it against the Warriors in their second game of a doubleheader.
4:30 pm - Warriors 104, Mavericks 58
The Warriors showed out on Sunday in an impressive way, breaking the century mark in a 104-58 win against the Mavericks. The Mavericks, who can't seem to catch a break with the early season schedule, were on the back end of the a doubleheader, having faced the Lakers in the prior game. This, along with only having eight of their eleven players, really hurt them in a disappointing loss. The Warriors were able to push the ball early and often, and absolutely dominated on the glass, setting a league-high record with 50 rebounds. Four different players had 20 points for the Warriors, led by Sammie Hines, who had 27 points, grabbed 13 rebounds, and had six assists. Latrell Tidwell had 22 points, and grabbed 14 rebounds of his own. Otis Houston had 22 points and six assists, while Tyree Mosley had 20 points and five assists. Erron Hall II narrowly missed a triple double, with seven points, ten rebounds, and eight assists. The Mavericks' Jamari Washington was the lone bright spot, scoring 22 points. Antwan Peterson and Braijon Thomas each had ten points. The Warriors improve to 3-1 and will face the Lakers (3-0) in the Week 4 game of the week matchup at 12:30 pm on September 12th. The Mavericks square off against the Spurs (3-1) at 5:30 pm on the 12th.
5:30 pm - Nets 70, Bulls 52
Red Binion made his much anticipated league debut on Sunday, leading the Nets to their first win of the year, 70-52 against the Bulls in an East division matchup to close out Week 3 play. Binion, who was waiting to be cleared by his doctor following a minor ear procedure, had 18 points and 5 assists, to go along with 17 points from Ronnie Jackson. Mook Lawrence had 14 points, while Jerry Wills had 13 points and three blocks, as he held his own against the Bulls' big man, Seth Johnson. Despite having a distinct size advantage, the Bulls were unable to capitalize, particularly on the offensive end of the court, as they were held to just 5/26 from behind the three point line. Benito Munoz had a nice game for the Bulls, leading the way with 21 points. He however did not receive much help from the rest of the Bulls' guards, who were also without team captain Bobby Crivokapich. Big man Seth Johnson had a solid game, scoring 19 points and grabbing 11 rebounds, but ultimately it was his lack of touches that hurt the Bulls. This, coupled with eleven misses from the charity stripe (5/16), was the Bulls' Achilles heel. The Nets improve to 1-2, while the Bulls fall to 1-2. Both teams will be back in action on September 12th in matchups against East division opponents. The Bulls take on the Heat (2-1) at 2:30 pm, while the Nets take on the Celtics at 4:30 pm.