Final Game and Final Win for the Regular Season
March 31, 2019 - National Basketball League of Canada (NBL Canada)
London Lightning News Release
(LONDON, ON) The London Lightning were able to pull out another victory after they beat the Windsor Express 126 to 114. The Lightning were strong all the way through hitting the Express with high energy right from start and carried into until the final buzzer. This notches another win in the coloumn for the Bolts as they are heading to the playoffs as the number one seed to take on the KW Titans.
The Lightning were up tempo going right at the Express all game. The biggest part of their game today was their defense, switching on all players always looking to make sure every player was covered at all times. They were able to hold the Express to 44% from the field and 33% from three. They showed up in other box score numbers as well tallying 7 steals and 7 blocks for the game. Rebounding was also a big key for the Lightning's victory was their rebounding where they collected 20 offensive rebounds and capitalizing on them for 34 second chance points. The Lightning will need to keep their energy heading into the playoffs to keep the wins coming in.
Scoring came easier for the Lightning today with 7 players reaching double digits in points and 3 players hitting at least 20 with Garrett Williamson's 21 and AJ Gaines 20. The others to reach double figures were Capers with 17, Johnson 14, 13 by Babb-Harrison and 11 from Marvin Phillips. Marcus Capers had a good all around game collecting a double double for 17 points on 8-12 shooting with 10 rebounds, as well as 3 blocks and 2 steals. Williamson was strong with 21 points and 5 rebounds along with 2 steals of his own. Lastly, AJ Gaines was great off the bench for his 20 points on 7 of 10 shooting.
Marcus Capers talked about how the team has done this year and how they were counted out from making the playoffs previously. "It was good for us to end [the season] like that, because on February 2nd there was an article saying we wouldn't make the playoffs because we were in dead last, but we just got together and now we're looking to start the playoffs right." Capers has been an anchor for the team defensively, always playing good help defense and locking down whichever perimeter player he is on. He was able to ramp up his scoring this afternoon getting to the basket strong and making the defense pay on fast breaks..
The Lightning are heading for playoffs for the next games the first two will be in London due to their first place finish. The dates are not announced yet but tickets are available to be purchased if you know you are coming no matter what. For tickets to those playoff games visit the Budweiser Gardens Box Office or go to www.lightningbasketball.ca.
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National Basketball League of Canada Stories from March 31, 2019
- NBL Canada Weekly Report - NBL Canada
- Final Game and Final Win for the Regular Season - London Lightning
- Riptide Finish Regular Season, Play Moncton Friday to Open Playoffs - Saint John Riptide
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