Bucks Gaming return to action with important win over Magic Gaming
By Adam McGee
After a week off to recover from recent struggles, Bucks Gaming got back on track in Week 8 of the NBA 2K League with a win over Magic Gaming.
Having enjoyed a couple of weeks off due to a bye week, Bucks Gaming returned to NBA 2K League action on Friday and faced a crucial matchup with Magic Gaming.
With just four gameweeks left in the regular season, the Bucks currently find themselves right on the bubble in terms of playoff places.
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Therefore, a meeting between the 5-5 Bucks and the 6-4 Magic couldn’t have been much more important, and the win that Milwaukee ultimately secured may well save their season.
One change that stuck over the course of the break was RSG holding on to his place in the starting five, with BigMeek once again left to watch on. That move has freed up Plondo to play at the power forward spot and pose a more dynamic threat, while RSG cleans up the glass as a center.
On Friday’s evidence, it’s a strategy that certainly has some real promise.
The Bucks and Magic played out a close first quarter before Milwaukee really began to assert themselves and hit the front. Holding a slim two-point lead heading into the second period, the Bucks ramped up their defense significantly.
The Magic managed only a meager four points in the second quarter as the Bucks’ lead stretched to 11, while when Milwaukee also upped its offense in the third quarter, a 20-7 period saw the lead stretch out to an insurmountable 24 points.
From there, the Bucks would go on to cruise to a 67-41 victory.
On the individual front, there were plenty of good performances to go around for Milwaukee.
ARooks returned to form with 23 points on 9-of-13 from the field and 5-of-7 from deep. RSG may have gone scoreless, but he cleaned up on the glass by corralling 16 boards and helping his team to a 25-12 rebounding advantage.
Still, it was Plondo who stood out most of all with a performance that may yet earn him Player of the Week honors.
Working on a steady diet of immaculate post moves, and adding in a couple of three-pointers for good measure, Plondo poured in 36 points on 15-of-25 shooting from the field. Plondo’s impact didn’t end with scoring, though, as he also chipped in with seven rebounds, four assists, four blocks and two steals.
https://twitter.com/NBA2KLeague/status/1137328420302594049
Between ARooks, Plondo and BigMeek, Bucks’ wins have most often come from two of that trio combining for dominant efforts on any given night throughout the season.
With this victory the Bucks moved up to eighth in the standings at 6-5. The top seven teams qualify for the NBA 2K League’s playoffs, along with the winner of The Ticket tournament, which begins next week.
Last season, Knicks Gaming booked their postseason spot by winning The Ticket and finishing outside of the top seven spots, and ultimately went on to win it all. The Bucks will be hoping to crack the top-seven, but may also have their eye on the prospect of winning The Ticket and emulating that feat.
dark. Next. Bucks Gaming split in Week 6, move to 5-5 on season
The Bucks’ challenge in The Ticket tournament will get underway on Friday, where they’ll face Heat Check Gaming in a play-in game.