This game is the much anticipated third match-up between these two teams which pins the two best players in the league, Nick Shango and Justin Orow, against each other. The match-up between these two players will undoubtedly have the most impact on which team wins the game. Team Dy-Nasty definitely holds the defensive advantage, but no one has been successful in stopping Justin Orow all season. Talent wise, both teams are evenly matched and both teams have a solid line-up from top to bottom, with a superstar player leading the way. The season series between these two teams was won by Kukumbas 2-0, who are a 2-1/2 point favorite to win the game.
KEYS TO VICTORY:
The key to victory for Team Dy-Nasty will be to slow the pace of the game down and force Justin Orow to drive to the lane or pass the ball off, by guarding his three point shot aggressively. They must also win the battle of the boards to insure that the Kukumbas don't get 2nd and 3rd chances to score. Finally, Team Dy-Nasty must keep the Kukumbas points in transition down to a minimum. If they let the Kukumbas get easy, open looks in transition and let Justin get hot for long stretches in the game, it will be very difficult for Team Dy-Nasty to win.
The key to victory for Kukumbas will be to put Justin Orow in good positions to score by setting picks and making it difficult for Team Dy-Nasty to guard him. If Justin can get on a roll, this will allow Fadi Gulli and Mike Yaldo to have open looks for scores, along with the rest of the team. Also, Kukumbas must play better than average defense, they have shown that they have the ability to do it from time to time this season, but this is the playoffs and they must play well on both sides of the court in order to win. Finally, Kukumbas must try hard to frustrate Nick Shango both offensively and defensively, this of course is much easier said then done, but if they can get Shango off of his game, then they will definitely have a great chance to win.
Semi-Finals Game #2 -
#4 THE BOOMAS vs. #1 SAMER AND THE REVOLUTION
After making a blockbuster trade with one another in the middle of the season, these two teams find themselves head-to-head in a playoff battle. These teams are similar in many ways, both teams have great depth and talent, both teams like to win by playing great defense and scoring in the paint and both teams rely on multiple players to score. A lot will depend on the play of the point guards for each team, it will be up to Joe Kejbou and Senan Abdaal to insure that they maximize the opportunities for their respective teams. It will be the team that plays better together and takes advantage of its opportunities that will win this game. Samer & The Revolution hold the advantage in the season series 2-0 and are also favored to win the game by 4-1/2 points.
KEYS TO VICTORY:
The key to victory for The Boomas will be to play aggressive defense and force Samer & The Revolution to take bad shots and make mistakes. They must also win the battle of the boards and insure that Zane Roumayah is put in check and not allowed to get 2nd chance shots for his team. Offensively, The Boomas must remain patient and move the ball around in order to take sound, high percentage shots. Furthermore, The Boomas must push the ball in transition when the opportunities present themselves and not allow Samer & The Revolution to get set defensively. Finally, The Boomas must also be aggressive on the offensive boards and capitalize on easy 2nd chance shots.
The key to victory for Samer & The Revolution will be to continue to play sound defense as they've done all season and to get everyone on the team involved in scoring. If they get good games by both Zane Roumayah and Derek Dabish and if Senan Abdaal continues to distribute the ball well, as he's done all season, it will be difficult for this team to be beat. This team must also win the battle of the boards in order to suffocate The Boomas both offensively and defensively. Finally, Samer & The Revolution must neutralize Joe Kejbou by playing solid defense on him and taking away his options offensively, especially his #1 option Jack Mansour.
