PACERS GAMING FINISHES AT THE TOP OF THEIR GROUP, CLINCHING BRACKET PLAY AND PLAYOFFS

INDIANAPOLIS (June 7, 2024) – Pacers Gaming capped a “perfect” week with a fantastic finish and qualified for the Elite Eight and in-person play next week in Washington, D.C., in the NBA 2K League 5v5 THE TURN Tournament with a dramatic 58-56 victory over Mavs Gaming Friday night. Coach Joel Lazu’s Blue & Gold (7-5 overall in 5v5 play this summer) have won five of their last six and went a perfect 3-0 this week.

CEEZ (Caesar Martinez), acquired via trade just 10 days ago, hit a basket with 0.8 remaining to break a 56-56 tie and give Indiana the win and a berth next week in the nation’s capital. Averaging 20 points and eight assists in his six games (Pacers are 5-1 incidentally in those contests) with Indiana, CEEZ finished Friday with 18 points and seven assists.  SCOREO (Devin Lawrence), acquired via trade in early May, led Indiana with 20 points, nine rebounds and five assists. JAYSNAGS (Julio Laboy) added eight points, six boards and three steals; SUBGOATED (Josh Ferreira) scored seven and dished three assists, and emotional leader COOKS (Mike Campbell) scored five points.

Dallas, which committed nine turnovers to Indiana’s two, were led by KAPP with 24 points (15 in the first quarter) and DAYFRI with 14.

Indiana used balanced scoring in the first quarter to offset KAPP’s 15 tallies as the teams battled to a 17-17 tie after one quarter. SCOREO scored 11 points in the second to pace Indiana to a 15-12 period and a 32-29 halftime edge. The Pacers increased their lead with a 13-12 third quarter to take a 45-41 advantage into the game’s final stanza. Indiana led 56-51 with :49 remaining before Mavs Gaming made a gallant comeback and tied the game at 56-56 with 17.7 left, setting the stage for CEEZ and his Pacers to seize the moment.