Raptors Uprising can’t get past Bucks Gaming, spin out at The Turn
May 11, 2019
Toronto’s professional NBA 2K League team Raptors Uprising GC were unable to overcome a talented Bucks Gaming side (62-72), as the team from the North’s run at The Turn tournament in Las Vegas was haulted in the first round Friday night.
After defeating Pistons GT (56-47) in a play-in game Thursday, Raptors Uprising earned a rematch with a Bucks Gaming in the bracket stage following a loss to the fourth-ranked team from Milwaukee a week ago.
While they were ultimately ousted by Bucks Gaming, Coach Ognjen Micic’s side showed heart, battling back from several 20-point deficits to make the game competitive — something his squad lacked last week.
“We showed much more heart than our last loss,” mentioned Coach Ogi. “My guys didn’t give up and that’s all I could ask for when we’re in a situation like [Friday]. Finding yourself down double digits early in the game after a slow start makes it a lot harder to come back because you’re going to have to play perfect for long stretches in order to give yourself a chance.”
KingQuai614 was a bright spot for the team from the 6ix despite having his go-to Pure Glass Cleaner restricted with the “Archetype Ban”, finishing with 19 points, 11 rebounds, five assists, two steals, and two blocks. However, his five turnovers contributed to his team’s 18 making it tough to mount a full comeback in this one.
“Quai showed he was comfortable as using a rim-protector,” said Coach Ogi on his big man. “He has the skill to play virtually any build at centre. As a team though, I thought we could’ve played much better and I expect more from us.”
Arooks finished with a game-high 29 points in the win for his Bucks Gaming side. The league’s second-leading scorer entered Friday’s rematch averaging 24.2 points per game after being held to just two opening-half points in last week’s win, and the second-year sharpshooter managed to find his stroke in this one, connecting on seven-of-11 attempts from long distance.
“You have to give credit where credit is due,” said Coach Ogi, “Arooks did well against us tonight. That being said, I wasn’t happy with our coverage; we didn’t do well as a team to make it difficult enough on him.”
Bucks Gaming will play former Raptors Uprising player and Scarborough-native Yusef_Scarbz in the quarterfinals on the final day of competition Saturday, as Kings Guard Gaming stands in their way to earning a larger portion of the $180,000 USD prize pool.
UP NEXT: Raptors Uprising, meanwhile, will have to wait a bit for a chance to bounce back. The team will have a bye week in Week 5 before a tough double-header on the horizon in Week 6, as they play host to last year’s regular-season champions Blazer5 Gaming before paying a visit to former Raptors Uprising player Detoxys and his expansion side Lakers Gaming.
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— Raptors Uprising GC (@RaptorsGC) May 11, 2019