Slam Set to Begin Playoffs on Friday
Published on June 30, 2010 under International Basketball League (IBL)
Bellingham Slam News Release
BELLINGHAM, Wash - The Bellingham Slam have received a first round playoff bye for the third consecutive season and will open the 2010 International Basketball League postseason on Friday with a second round game against a to-be-determined opponent. The game will be part of the IBL's Conference Tournament, which is being held this season at Warner Pacific College in Portland.
Bellingham, who finished the regular season with a 13-7 record, are locked in as a #6 seed in the ten-team single-elimination tournament. The Slam are slated to play the #3 seed in the second round, which will be either the Los Angeles Lightning or Olympia Reign. Those two teams play each other on Wednesday night in the IBL's final regular season game and the loser of the game will face the Slam.
Both possible opponents create interesting storylines for the Slam. The Olympia Reign finished first in the IBL's International Division, three places ahead of the Slam, and defeated Bellingham twice this season. Los Angeles, on the other hand, eliminated the Slam in the American Conference final last season and went on to win the 2009 IBL Championship.
The winner of Friday's match-up will advance to the American Conference championship on Saturday, with the winner of that game meeting the winner of the National Conference in the 2010 IBL Championship game to be played in mid-July.
Bellingham will have their full roster available for Friday's playoff opener. Guard Ryan Diggs has missed the last four games with an ankle injury, but is expected to ready to play on Friday. Forward Tyler Amaya, who also suffered an ankle injury two weeks ago, played his third game for the Slam last Friday, making him eligible to participate in the playoffs.
The start time of Friday's second round game will be determined along with their opponent on Wednesday night.
International Basketball League Stories from June 30, 2010
- Legends Clinch IBL 2010 Continental Division with Win over Yamhill Highflyers - Albany Legends
- Slam Set to Begin Playoffs on Friday - Bellingham Slam
- International Basketball League Championship Tournament in Portland This Weekend - IBL
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