PACERS GAMING VS DUX INFINITOS – THE TURN GROUP A
May 24, 2022
INDIANAPOLIS – Pacers Gaming resumed 5v5 play Tuesday night in the NBA 2K League THE TURN Tournament and produced a dramatic come-from-behind revenge victory over DUX Infinitos (the team that beat Indiana in the 3v3 playoffs of THE SLAM Tournament just 11 days ago) 57-54. Indiana, 1-0 in Group A of the two-week, five-game remote-play format, will play Wednesday evening at 7 PM against T-Wolves Gaming.
Center Jomar (Jomar Varela-Escapa) recorded his fifth double/double in six 5v5 games this season, leading Pacers Gaming with 18 points and 12 rebounds on nine of 11 shooting from the field. Newcomer Reizey (Reid Hill), playing his first 5v5 game in a Pacers Gaming uniform, added 16 points on five-of-eight shooting, including four-of-seven from the three-point arc. Reizey was also tied for team lead in assists with six with Vandi (Zach Vandivier) who added 13 tallies. Lavish (Andron Thomas) had five points, two rebounds, three assists, a steal and three huge blocks in the winning effort while veteran WoLF (Bryant Colon) was perfect from the field (two-of-two) enroute to five points. BallLikeSeem led DUX with 16 points.
Jomar came out of the gate strong with six points and five rebounds to pace Indiana to a 15-14 edge after one quarter. Behind Vandi’s eight points and Reizey’s five points, the Pacers took a 32-26 advantage at halftime. DUX, who finished runner up in THE SLAM, made a gallant comeback in the third quarter, outscoring Indiana 17-7 to take a 43-39 lead after three quarters. Down four points with just four minutes remaining, the Pacers pulled within a basket before a massive block by Lavish led to a WoLF dunk and a 48-48 tie. The Pacers again trailed by four, 54-50 with just 1:30 to play when Reizey hit a three-pointer and then after a DUX miss, Reizey with a beautiful pass found Jomar for a dunk and an 55-54 Indiana lead with just :41 left. The Pacers then delivered what basketball fans in this state just love. DUX, needing to score, were forced into a shot-clock violation with tremendous Indiana defense. Reizey made two free throws at 15.5 for a 57-54 margin and the Pacers of course forced a DUX turnover with just seconds left to secure the first win of the tournament for Indiana.
Box score below:
