Slam continue playoff run Wednesday vs. San Jose
Published on March 21, 2006 under American Basketball Association (ABA)
Bellingham Slam News Release
Rochester, New York - The Bellingham Slam, coming off their 125-117 upset victory over the Xplosion in Pittsburgh on Saturday, will continue their playoff run by taking on the San Jose Skyrockets in the opening round of the American Basketball Association's Great Eight championship series on Wednesday night at 5 p.m. EST.
The Slam should be well-rested for the game, as they have been in Rochester since Sunday following a four-hour drive from Pittsburgh. The team enjoyed an off day on Monday before holding a practice on Tuesday at Blue Cross Arena, where all the Great Eight games will be held.
The Slam's opponent on Wednesday, the San Jose Skyrockets, are considered by some to be the best team in the ABA this season. The Skyrockets punched their ticket to the Great Eight by defeating the Los Angeles Aftershock, 132-90, in San Jose on Saturday. They finished the regular season with a record of 29-6, good for first place in the Boone Division. The Slam finished the regular season with an 18-14 record and in second place in the Boone Division. The Skyrockets won the season series with the Slam, 3-1, with the Slam's lone victory occurring back on December 20 in Bellingham by a score of 125-117.
Caleb Gervin, a candidate for the ABA's Player of the Year award, has unquestionably been the reason for the Slam's in the playoffs. Gervin is averaging 39.5 points per game through two playoff games on 56% shooting from the floor. Mike Parker is also playing exceptionally well in the playoffs, averaging 22.5 points on 61% shooting.
The Skyrockets are led by Lamar Castile, also a Player of the Year candidate. Castile scored 27 points to lead all scorers in the Skyrockets playoff victory over Los Angeles.
The Slam's game on Wednesday is being televised live on the internet by IPTV Sports Network, and there will also be a free radio broadcast of the game on the ABA's website. Fans can reach these sites through links on the Slam's website at www.bellinghamslam.com. For fans in Bellingham, the game will tip off at 2 p.m. local time.
The winner of the game will go on to the ABA semifinals on Saturday, when they will play the winner of the Atlanta Vision/Rochester Razorsharks game, also taking place on Wednesday.
For more information, call the Slam at 734-SLAM or visit their website at www.bellinghamslam.com.
Note: OurSports Central no longer actively covers the American Basketball Association (ABA) as a professional league due in part to its inability to publish and play a schedule and the transitory nature of many of its teams. For information on professional minor leagues, please see OSC's basketball section.
American Basketball Association Stories from March 21, 2006
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