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Cleveland Charge

Charge Cruise to Game 1 Playoff Victory

April 8, 2015 - NBA G League (G League)
Cleveland Charge News Release


The third seeded Canton Charge, presented by SecureData 365 and powered by the Cleveland Cavaliers, defeated the second seeded Sioux Falls Skyforce, 119-93, in Game 1 of their opening round series of the 2015 NBA Development League Playoffs. The victory gives Canton the 1-0 lead in the best-of-three series that will now head to Sioux Falls.

The two teams' play lived up to its playoff potential early on with seven lead changes and four ties to start the game. With Sioux Falls up 21-18 and 3:52 left in the opening quarter, the Charge hit five of their next six shots on an 18-6 run to close the quarter and go ahead 32-27. The hosts were red hot from the field to start, hitting 13-of-25 shots from the field (52%) and 6-of-11 from three-point range (55%).

Canton led for the entire duration of the second quarter and by as many as 14 thanks in part to a continued offensive efficiency. Maurice Kemp netted 11 points off the bench in the second and the Charge hit 13-of-19 shots as a unit (68%) to set a franchise playoff record for points in a half and lead 62-53 at intermission. Scotty Hopson scored 12 of his 18 points in the second to keep the Skyforce within striking distance.

Canton opened the second half with a balanced scoring attack in the third quarter lead by the frontcourt of Joe Harris, Alex Kirk and James Singleton. Harris and Kirk scored nine points apiece as Canton saw their lead reach as high as 18 in the third stanza. The Charge big men helped Canton preserve a 15 point leading heading into the fourth and final quarter, 90-75.

A hot shooting fourth by the Charge helped stave off the visiting Skyforce as Canton maintained the lead through the duration and went up by as many as 27. Canton connected on 11-of-18 shots in the fourth en route to shooting 61% from the field, including 3-of-6 from deep. James Singleton scored 10 of his team-high 27 points in the fourth on a perfect 5-for-5 from the field.

Canton had six players in double figures, led by Singleton's 27 points, 12 rebounds, and two blocks in a game-high 45 minutes of action. Cavaliers assignee Harris added a double-double of his own with 24 points on 9-of-14 shooting, while grabbing 11 rebounds in 33 minutes. Kemp finished with 14 points on 5-of-9 shooting in 28 minutes of relief. The hosts shot 54% from the field and 41% from distance en route to their highest scoring total in franchise playoff history.

Hopson led Sioux Falls with a game-high 30 points on 13-of-20 shooting in 43 minutes of action. Lead guard Larry Drew added 17 points and six assists in 36 minutes. Reserve guard Andre Dawkins provided a lift off the bench with 14 points on 6-of-12 shooting 29 minutes. Sioux Falls tested the Charge's regular season league-leading scoring defense by shooting an impressive 47% from the field.

Game 2 will be on the road in Sioux Falls on Monday, April 13th at 8:00 p.m. EST and broadcast live on ESPN3! For breaking news, exclusive stories & content, and ticket information, head to www.CantonCharge.com.

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