Barclays Center, Brooklyn, NY
Game 1: Triplets (3-0) vs Tri-State (1-2)
The Triplets, led once again by Joe Johnson, stayed undefeated with a convincing 50-37 win over a talented Tri-State team in the opener on Sunday in Brooklyn.
Jannero Pargo chipped in with 9, all in the first half, and Al Jefferson played big with 14 points and 10 rebounds, but it was Johnson who once again set the tone. He had his jumper working early, with his smooth elevation and release that Big 3 fans have come accustomed to seeing this season. Johnson's final shot of the game, a 4 point shot where he pulled back and fired off of a defensive rebound, sealed the victory. He finished with 17 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists.
Though Tri-State lost by 13, they did put up a fight early on, with Amare Stoudemire scoring 10 in the first half. The Triplets did a good job of containing him in the second half, though, holding him to just 3 second half points. Jason Richardson played well for Tri-State, finishing with 20 points, but outside of Stoudemire and Richardson, the team was only able to muster 4 points, from Robert Hite.
Both teams play next week in Kansas City, with Tri-State facing the 3 Headed Monsters and the Triplets going up against last season's champion Power.
Game 2: Bivouac (1-2) vs 3 Headed Monsters (2-1)
Inactive: Larry Sanders
The 3 Headed Monsters, who have looked strong all year, were held in check for the most part Sunday by a scrappy Bivouac team.
Rashard Lewis was held to just 7 points, and Will Bynum and CJ Leslie were the keys to Bivouac getting their record to .500 at 2-2. Bynum had 13 points and 4 assists, and Leslie, who was particularly impressive finishing around the rim, scored 12.
Reggie Evans, the league's leading rebounder last season, was great on the boards for the 3 Headed Monsters, with 13 rebounds. He also was their main offensive weapon, scoring 21. But outside of he and Mario Chalmers - who scored 13 - the Monsters were held scoreless. They were also hurt by the absence of big man Larry Sanders, who, had he played, would have provided them with great rim protection.
Bivouac opens up the Week 5 slate against the 1-3 3s Company. The 3 Headed Monsters, facing Tri-State, is a match up of two teams who are in dire need of a victory.
Game 3: Killer 3s (3-0) vs Trilogy (1-2)
Inactive: Jason Terry
In what turned out to be the best game of the day, Trilogy played tough in their 50-48 thrilling victory over the previously unbeaten Killer 3s.
Trilogy played great defense, scrapping their way to a 12-6 start. They carried that momentum into the half, as they held a 25-19 advantage. Of particular impressiveness in the game was Sam Young, who scored 13. The former Pitt Panther swing man is a tough forward who is an adept defender. James White, the reigning Big 3 defensive player of the year, added 10 points and 9 rebounds.
But it was David Hawkins, finishing with a game-high 21 points, who was the catalyst for Trilogy. The 37 year old Hawkins, who went undrafted in 2004 and enjoyed a long career overseas, has enjoyed success in the Big 3 because of his size and offensive ability. With the game tied at 48, Hawkins pump faked defender Donte Green, drawing a foul, and knocked down the free throw to secure the 2 point victory. Following the contest, Trilogy coach Kenyon Martin said that he wanted Hawkins to be the team's driving force in the game.
"I wanted to just tell Hawk just keep being aggressive", said the former number one draft pick Martin. "The first two games i think he was still trying to find his rhythm, i was trying to find what i wanted from him. Just telling him that 'i need you to be aggressive. I need you to be in go mode at all times'. He's proven that he's a force to be reckoned with in the Big 3."
Next week, Trilogy will need all they can get from Hawkins as they go up against a tough Enemies squad that has won three straight games after dropping their opener, in the Week 5 finale in Oklahoma City. The Killer 3s have a favorable match up, also in Oklahoma City, against the winless Ball Hogs.
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