Bivouac 45 (1-2) vs Triplets 51 (3-0)
It was a homecoming for former Atlanta Hawks stars Joe Johnson and Josh Smith. “Iso” Joe came into Week 3 as the BIG3’s second-leading scorer, averaging 23 points a game, but it was Smith who brought the early energy, scoring 19 in the first half to help Bivouac take a 25-14 lead at the break.
During the postgame press conference, Hall of Fame Legend Lisa Leslie said, “You learn the most about people during tough times and we were in a tough situation”. The Triplets clearly took their coach’s words to heart, steadily chipping away at a 12-point deficit, getting key contributions from Chris Johnson and Alan Anderson. Ultimately, Johnson’s explosive game would prove to be too much for Bivouac, as the former Atlanta Hawk added to his MVP-caliber campaign with 24 of his teams 37 points in the second half to keep the Triplet’s undefeated season alive.
Top Performers:
Bivouac
Josh Smith 22 pts, 9 reb, 1 stl, 1 blk
C.J. Leslie 11 pts, 6 reb
Triplets
Joe Johnson 26 pts, 7 reb, 4 ast
Alan Anderson 11 pts, 4 reb
Chris Johnson 10 pts, 5 reb
Killer 3s 51 (3-0) vs 3 Headed Monsters 48 (2-1)
The second game of the night featured a battle of unbeatens, as Charles the “King of New York” Oakley’s Killer 3s put their perfect season on the line against Gary “The Glove” Payton’s 3 Headed Monsters.
As expected, the contest proved to be a physical matchup from the early going. Led by NBA Champion and Captain Stephen “Stak” Jackson, Killer 3s went on an 11-2 run to take a small 25-21 lead into the half.
Refusing to go down easy, 16-year NBA veteran and 3 Headed Monsters’ Captain Rashard Lewis put his squad on his shoulders, accounting for his teams’ first 10 points coming out of the break. Mario Chalmers showed his championship mentality, pouring in bucket after bucket to bring 3 Headed Monsters within one late. Ultimately, Chalmers’ late-game heroics would not be enough as the shifty Frank “Nitty” Sessions impressed with several spectacular drives to close out the victory for Killer 3s.
Top Performers:
Killer 3’s
Stephen Jackson 22 pts, 6 reb
Donte Green 13 pts, 3 reb
Franklin Session 10 pts, 7 reb, 6 ast
3 Headed Monsters
Rashard Lewis 16 pts, 9 reb
Mario Chalmers 16 pts, 4 reb
Trilogy 50 (1-2) vs Power 43 (2-1)
Sunday’s final game was a true testament to the excitement and balanced competition BIG3 brings every week.
Seeking its first win, Trilogy pulled away early en route to handing defending BIG3 Champions Power its first defeat.
After allowing Power to score the game’s first basket, Trilogy went on an 11-0 run and never looked back. Nancy Lieberman’s side was hobbled after a first-half ejection to Glen Davis, who gave his uniform and positive energy to the crowd, and a second-half injury to MVP candidate Cuttino Mobley.
Amplified by inspired performances from David Hawkins and Patrick O’Bryant, Trilogy kept the pressure on to secure a much-needed win.
Top Performers:
Trilogy
David Hawkins 21 pts, 4 reb
Patrick O’Bryant 14 pts, 9 reb
James White 11 pts, 8 reb
Power
Julian Wright 17 pts, 8 reb
Chris Andersen 12 pts, 4 reb
To learn more about Ice Cube’s BIG 3 league, buy tickets, or have a look at their schedule of upcoming games, visit their website at BIG 3.
-Jon J.
Photo: Hakim Wright