Dazzle Earn Playoff Berth with Win over Patriots
March 17, 2003 - NBA G League (G League)
Fayetteville Patriots News Release
Roanoke coach Kent Davison wanted his team to view Monday's game against Roanoke like a playoff game because he knew without a strong regular-season finish there would be no playoffs.
Davison and his Dazzle team were fortunate enough to come out on top in both missions. The Dazzle beat the Fayetteville Patriots 91-83 in its regular season/playoff game on Monday, and the Dazzle earned a spot in the 2002-2003 playoffs.
Jamal Robinson led the way for the Dazzle with 29 points and Cory Alexander added 17 points and 10 assists. Fayetteville lost its third straight game. Omar Cook led the Patriots with 17 points and seven assists, while Jeff Aubry added 10 points and seven boards.
"This win is big for us because we evened the season series at five games apiece,'' Davison said. "This is a team we might have to see in the first round so it's good to know we played even with these guys this season because I think this Fayetteville is the premiere team in this league.
"It's tough to find out what you're playing for when you've clinched every thing like they have. They'll be ready when playoff time comes. The NBDL championship is going to have to come through Fayetteville this year, so this gives something to build on."
The Patriots have already clinched the No. 1 seed in the playoffs. The Dazzle could fall into the fourth place spot and face Fayetteville in the first round. The Patriots lost for the just the third time this season when shooting better than 50 percent mainly because the Dazzle was able to shoot 55.6 percent for the game and 67 percent in the fourth quarter.
The Dazzle led by one going into the final period. Robinson would widen the gap with two 3-pointers to open the quarter. But the Dazzle took over when first-team All-NBDL center Mikki Moore became a distributor. Twice, Moore penetrated and dished to wide-open jump shooters for 3-pointers. With 4:19 remaining, his dish to Mike King for a 3-pointer gave Roanoke its biggest lead at 81-72.
The Patriots were able to cut the lead to four, but Moore put the game away with a no-look pass to King cutting down the lane. King's basket put the Dazzle up eight with 2:25 remaining. Moore finished with 17 points, seven rebounds and seven assists. "You've got to be impressed with the way they played tonight,'' said Patriots coach Jeff Capel. "They needed a win to make the playoffs and they battled like they needed that win. I thought we gave a pretty good effort tonight, but they made shots tonight â big shots."
Nineteen turnovers and the absence of Jason Capel did not help the Patriots. Capel missed his fifth game because of an ailing hip. The Patriots will try to snap their three-game losing streak in their home finale on Friday against Greenville.
"These teams that we're playing need wins to get into the playoffs, and we're taking games for granted because we've already clinched," said Terrell McIntyre, who had 15 points and four assists. "We definitely need to turn this thing around because you don't get anything for finishing first in the regular season."
NBA G League Stories from March 17, 2003
- Dazzle Earn Playoff Berth with Win over Patriots - Fayetteville Patriots
- Columbus Keeps Playoff Hopes Alive - Charleston Lowgators
- Brandon Williams Back on Flight Roster - G League
- Riverdragons Catch Case of March Madness - Columbus Riverdragons
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