Killer 3's, Tri-State, Power, 3 Headed Monsters Win in BIG3 League Basketball
The second season of the BIG3 continued Friday night, with all teams suiting up for a quadruple-header at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois.
Last week, the season openers produced just one close contest, with the other three games decided convincingly. Each team had a game under its belt so this week's action figured to be on another level.
Below is a look at the action from Week 2.
BIG3 Schedule/Results — Week 2
Killer 3's (1-1) 50, Ghost Ballers (0-2) 44
Tri-State (2-0) 51, Ball Hogs (0-2) 34
Power (2-0) 50, 3's Company (1-1) 44
3 Headed Monsters (2-0) 50, Trilogy (0-2) 34
Killer 3's 50, Ghost Ballers 44
The first game of the night featured a pair of teams searching for their first victory of the season. Despite both teams dropping their openers, there was no shortage of star power on the court.
The Killer 3's squad features Stephen Jackson, Metta World Peace and Chauncey Billups, while the Ghost Ballers' roster includes Carlos Boozer, Mike Bibby and Ricky Davis. On this day, there was no answer for Jackson.
Jackson could not be stopped in this contest as he posted 28 points and nine rebounds. He was 5-of-9 from deep, the only player on his team to make a shot from range. He added a steal and a block as well.
While Jackson was responsible for more than half of the Killer 3's points, Boozer did his best to keep the Ghost Ballers in the game. He finished the contest with 22 points, 13 rebounds and one block.
The game was on the verge of a blowout, but with the help of Boozer, the Ghost Ballers managed to close the gap to two late with an 8-0 run. In the end, though, it was too little late. One week after dropping a two-point decision to the 3 Headed Monsters, it was just another close loss.
World Peace had six points and eight rebounds in the win, and Davis had 12 points and five rebounds in a losing effort.
Tri-State 51, Ball Hogs 34
The Ball Hogs may have fan favorite Brian Scalabrine, but Tri-State has Jermaine O'Neal. And Nate Robinson. And Amar'e Stoudemire. Oh, and don't forget about David Hawkins.
In other words, too much for their opponent to handle.
It was a team effort in the first half for Tri-State, as five different players scored to help take an 11-point lead into the break. Hawkins led the way with 12 points before intermission.
The second half was a mere formality. The Ball Hogs were never able to make it competitive, as Andre Owens (14 points) was the only one to reach double-figures. The only part of the scoreboard that was of interest in the second half is if Scalabrine and Co. would get doubled up in the end.
A late 9-0 run made the score more respectable, but it couldn't change the outcome.
Hawkins (20 points, eight rebounds and five assists) and O'Neal (12 points and two rebounds) paced Tri State to victory, with Robinson (11 points, three rebounds and three assists) and Stoudemire (six points, four rebounds and one block) also contributing to the cause.
Tri-State will put its undefeated record on the line against Power in Week 3.
Power 50, 3's Company 44
In the only battle of undefeated squads this week, Power was the one that was able to keep a zero in its loss column.
It appeared as though it was going to be a battle early on, but Power grabbed control of the game with a mini-run midway through the first half. A strong start to the second appeared to put the game away, but it had to hold off a late rally to seal the victory.
Power used a balanced attack throughout the game to keep its opponent guessing. Cuttino Mobley (18 points and seven rebounds), Corey Maggette (16 points, nine rebounds and five assists) and Glen "Big Baby" Davis (14 points and four rebounds) made it tough for the defense to key in on any one player.
Meanwhile, it was a one-man show for 3's Company. Baron Davis refused to let his team go down without a fight, dropping 27 points and five rebounds:
No other 3's Company player reached double-figures, with the rest of the team combining for 17 points.
Davis proved that one player can make things interesting in this three-on-three stage. However, it's tough for one player to take a balanced squad.
3 Headed Monsters 50, Trilogy 34
A BIG3 title may not have been on the line this time around, but the 3 Headed Monsters were able to exact a bit of revenge by defeating Trilogy on Friday.
It may only be Week 2, but there was plenty of intensity in this championship game rematch. It was a physical game from the start and including a good amount of jawing.
Trilogy kept it close for the majority of the game, but a dominant closing run by the 3 Headed Monsters put the game away for good. Rashard Lewis (21 points and six rebounds) and Qyntel Woods (15 points and 10 rebounds) led the way for the 3 Headed Monsters.
Meanwhile, Trilogy had to play shorthanded. Last season's BIG3 Championship Game MVP Rashad McCants had zero points, one rebound and two steals before exiting with an injury. He had 22 points in last year's championship game.
Al Harrington (15 points and four rebounds) and James White (15 points and three rebounds) scored nearly all of their team's points, with Kenyon Martin recording just two points and two rebounds.
After running the table last year, the reigning champs are still looking for their first win of the season.
