Spectrum Center, Charlotte, NC
Game 1: Triplets (1-0) vs Trilogy (0-1)
The Triplets got off to a slow start in the game, as Joe Johnson began 0/2 and they trailed 10-6. It didn't take long, however, for Johnson to get going and get his rhythm. He fed Al Jefferson for a layup on the inside, and then scored on a layup over Trilogy's Sam Young as part of six straight Triplet points. Jason Terry checked into the game for Trilogy, and Johnson began to go to work, using his size to back Terry down - scoring on a layup and a three to give the Triplets a 21-16 lead. An Al Jefferson lay in ended the half, as the Triplets took a 25-18 lead, going on a 19-8 run.
Trilogy went on two separate runs - 7-0 and 10-2 - in the second half but it was the Triplets who controlled most of the game. With a four point lead 45-41, Johnson hit the game's only 4 point shot to make it 49-41, and secured a rebound and put back lay in off of a Sam Young airball to end the game, with the Triplets winning 51-41. Johnson finished with 20 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists. Through the first two games, he is averaging 23.5 points, 11.5 rebounds, and 5 assists.
Both teams will be in action next Sunday in Atlanta, with Trilogy facing Power and the Triplets matching up against Bivouac, where Joe Johnson will face his former Atlanta Hawks' teammate Josh Smith.
Game 2: Enemies (0-1) vs Ball Hogs (0-1)
Inactive: Lamar Odom
In the day's most anticipated game with the Enemies' Gilbert Arenas making his debut, it was the Ball Hogs who looked like the better team throughout the first half. Arenas began the game with a corner three ball that hit nothing but net, but after falling behind quickly by 5 after a layup by the Enemies' Craig Smith, the Ball Hogs went on a 26-8 run to end the first half, as they took a 26-13 lead. Will McDonald was huge in the half for the Ball Hogs with 13 points and 7 rebounds, and Deshawn Stevenson contributed 8 points and 3 rebounds.
The Enemies came out of the gates in the second half playing more up to their reputation - on paper at least - as one of the league's top teams, going on a 20-2 run to take a 42-36 lead. The run was ended with McDonald converting a three point play and Stevenson hitting on a three to tie the game at 42. However, the Enemies' Frank Robinson would score 4 of the Enemies' next 6 points to give them a 48-42 lead. and Arenas would convert on a free throw to end the game with the Enemies emerging victorious 50-45. Arenas finished the game with 12 points on 4/10 shooting.
The Enemies play in Birmingham, AL next Saturday against the Ghost Ballers, and the Ball Hogs will play the Aliens also in Birmingham.
Game 3: 3s Company (0-1) vs Killer 3s (1-0)
Inactive: Baron Davis, Dahntay Jones
For the second consecutive week, 3s Company guard Baron Davis was inactive due to a quad injury, and his absence was evident in their week 2 match up. Facing the Killer 3s team coming off an emotional 54-52 victory in week 1, 3s Company also had to deal with the 3s Stephen Jackson, who was inactive last week.
3s Company managed just 13 second half points, finishing the game with 32, as Andre Emmett and Drew Gooden scored 10 points each. Jason Maxiell, Dermarr Johnson, and Dijon Thompson scored 4 points each.
The Killer 3s were led by Jackson, who hit on a 4 point shot and two 3 pointers and finished with 22 points. CJ Watson added 14 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists. Donte Greene, who hit the game winner last week, finished with 9 points and 5 rebounds. Franklin Session finished with 5 points and 3 rebounds to round out the Killer 3s scoring. Josh Powell added 5 rebounds and 2 assists.
3s Company plays next week in the week 3 opener in Birmingham against Tri-State, and the Killer 3s will play the first game in Atlanta next Sunday against the 3 Headed Monsters.
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