One is Magic for Patriots
February 28, 2003 - NBA G League (G League) News Release
As the pages of the National Basketball Development League schedule turn to March, the Fayetteville Patriots' magic number to clinch a playoff berth is one (1), and the number to claim a host seed is four (4). With nine games to play, Coach Jeff Capel's bunch is 27-14 and eight games ahead of fifth-place Asheville in the loss column. The next Fayetteville victory or Altitude defeat will nail down the Patriots first trip to the NBDL Playoffs.
Playoff Format
The top four regular-season finishers will qualify for the NBDL Playoffs, with the top seed hosting the fourth seed and the second seed hosting the third. The semi-finals and finals will both be played on 1-1-1 formats, which means the highest seed would host game one and three (if necessary) and the lower seed would host game two. Exact dates and locations will be announced at a later date.
Big Night in the Middle
Friday is a big night for playoff hopeful teams in the middle of the NBDL standings, with the third through sixth place teams all in action against one another. The league's hottest and fifth-place team, Asheville, plays host to Mobile, which is deadlocked in a tie for third with Roanoke. The Dazzle is also on the road, visiting sixth place Greenville at the Bi-Lo Center.
The Weekend Schedule
Friday Feb. 28, 2003 Roanoke at Greenville 7:00 p.m. ET
Friday Feb. 28, 2003 Mobile at Asheville 7:15 p.m. ET
Saturday March 1, 2003 Asheville at Columbus 7:00 p.m. ET
Saturday March 1, 2003 Roanoke at North Charleston 7:00 p.m. ET
Saturday March 1, 2003 Mobile at Fayetteville 7:30 p.m. ET
Saturday March 1, 2003 Greenville at Huntsville 7:30 p.m. CT
Home Court Advantage
It wasn't evident last season or even early this season, but there may finally be a home court advantage developing in the NBDL. With 40 games in the book and just two left to play in February, the home teams hold a 28-12 advantage. A double-overtime Columbus victory at North Charleston on Thursday night broke a 13-game win streak for the home teams dating back to Feb. 20.
NBDL Playoffs on the Air
ESPN2 will air up to five NBDL Playoff games this season on a tape delayed basis, with a possibility of the championship game being shown live. Following are the NBDL playoff airdates on ESPN2: March 26 at 3:30 p.m., April 2 at 3:30 p.m., April 8 at 3 p.m., April 10 at 4 p.m. and April 12 at noon. All times are eastern.
Looking Back at the 2002 Playoffs
The Finals
(1) North Charleston vs. (2) Greenville
Game One Mon, April 8 N Charleston 63 at Greenville 81 (Greenville leads 1-0)
Game Two Wed, April 10 Greenville 76 at N Charleston 68 (Greenville wins 2-0)
The Semi-Finals
(1) North Charleston vs. (4) Mobile
Game One Sun, March 24 Mobile 78 at N Charleston 75 (Mobile leads 1-0)
Game Two Wed, April 3 N Charleston 77 at Mobile 70 (Series tied 1-1)
Game Three Sat, April 6 Mobile 78 at N Charleston 80 (N. Char. Wins 2-1)
(2) Greenville vs. (3) Columbus
Game One Thur, March 28 Columbus 81 at Greenville 78 (Columbus leads 1-0)
Game Two Fri, March 29 Greenville 96 at Columbus 78 (Series tied 1-1)
Game Three Sat, April 6 Columbus 78 at Greenville 79 (Greenville wins 2-1)
Ending February By the Numbers
2 The number of NBDL players from North Charleston, Mobile and Huntsville called up to the NBA this season
2.3 The number of steals Asheville's Jeff Trepagnier averages to lead the NBDL
3 The number NBDL callups to the Atlanta Hawks this season
4 The number of consecutive Asheville victories that has the Altitude in the playoff chase
5 The number of games first-place Fayetteville is ahead of second-place North Charleston
6.1 The number of assists Roanoke's Cory Alexander averages to lead the NBDL
8 The total number of 2001-02 NBDL to NBA callups
9 The total number of NBDL to NBA callups already this season
9.6 The number of rebounds per game that Columbus' Tang Hamilton averages to lead the NBDL
17 The NBDL record for free throws made in a game held by Mobile's Ernest Brown
19 The number of losses that second through fourth place teams (North Charleston, Mobile, Roanoke) all have.
19.7 The number of points Columbus' Nate Johnson averages to lead the league in scoring
20 The NBDL record for rebounds in a game shared by three players, including current Huntsville forward Rodney Bias
22 The number of double-doubles Tang Hamilton has to lead the NBDL
35.7 The number of minutes per game Roanoke's Corey Alexander averages to lead the league
38 The NBDL record for points in a game shared by Fayetteville's Devin Brown and Gabe Muoneke
58 The total number of blocked shots Fayetteville's Jeff Aubry has to lead the league
68 The number of three-pointers Greenville's Greg Jones has made to lead the NBDL
68.6 Tierre Brown of North Charleston's field goal percentage over the last two games
92 The number of games the home team has won this season in the NBDL (67 losses)
93 The number of steals Asheville's Jeff Trepagnier has to lead the league
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