Vipers Go to the Matt: Force Game 3
Published on April 12, 2011 under NBA G League (G League)
Rio Grande Valley Vipers News Release
HIDALGO, TEXAS - Matt Janning hit five three-pointer to lead the defending NBA Development League champion and third-seeded Rio Grande Valley Vipers tied the best-of-three Quarterfinals series with the sixth-seeded Bakersfield Jam with a 104-92 win in Game 2 on Tuesday at State Farm Arena in front of a crowd of 4,948.
In his return to the starting lineup, Janning finished 6-of-12 from the field and 5-of-8 from behind the arc for 17 points with five rebounds, three assists and one steal.
The Vipers (1-1) win their fourth consecutive elimination game dating back to last year's playoffs and force a decisive Game 3 Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. at State Farm Arena. Houston Rockets Hall of Fame mascot Clutch the Bear will perform. Fans can purchase $1 hot dogs, popcorn and soda as well as $1.50 beer. Tickets start at $7 and can be purchased by calling the Vipers at 972-1144 or online through Ticketmaster via rgvipers.com.
The Jam (1-1) jumped out to a 14-7 lead, but the Vipers came back to take their first lead with just over one minute remaining in the first quarter when Richard Roby hit a floater in the lane.
The Vipers took their largest lead of the game at 50-38 when Mouhammad Faye buried a three-pointer with 2:34 remaining in the second quarter. Derrick Byars scored the final seven points of the quarter, including a buzzer-beating three-pointer, to bring the Jam within 50-45.
The Vipers extended their lead to 59-49 on a Patrick Sullivan jumper at the 9:55 mark of the third, but the Jam responded with a 13-to-1 run to take a 62-60 lead on a jumper by D'Andre Bell with 5:58 remaining. The lead changed hands a few times after that, with the Vipers taking the lead for good when Jerel McNeal hit a lay-up during an 8-0 run that saw the Vipers build a 77-70 lead with 1:26 remaining in the third quarter.
McNeal converted a four-point play with 5:13 remaining in the fourth quarter to put the Vipers up 91-80 and put the game out of reach.
McNeal led the Vipers in scoring with 25 points on 9-of-23 shooting, including 5-of-10 from behind the arc. The Vipers hit 15-of-36 shots (41.7%) from behind the arc.
The Jam were led in scoring by Jeremy Wise, who finished with 21 points on 7-of-14 shooting.
The Rio Grande Valley Vipers are the NBA Development League affiliate of the NBA Houston Rockets. The NBA Development League, founded in 2001, is the NBA's official minor league and features 16 teams with direct affiliations to NBA teams. 63 former NBA Development League players were on 2009-10 NBA start-of-season rosters, amounting to almost 15 percent of NBA players, and the league continues to develop coaches, referees, and front office staff for the NBA and its teams. In fostering the league's connection to the community, its teams, players and staff promote health and wellness, support local needs and interests, and assist in educational development through NBA Development League Cares programs. The NBA Development League also advances the game of basketball as the research and development arm of the NBA. Throughout the season fans can watch all NBA Development League games on NBA Futurecast, the free live Web-streaming initiative found at nba.com/futurecast.
NBA G League Stories from April 12, 2011
- Erie Tops Bighorns In Game Two, 114-111 - Reno Bighorns
- Iowa Energy & Tulsa 66ers To Tip Off Semifinal On Friday - G League
- Vipers Win to Force Game 3 - Bakersfield Jam
- Energy's Stinson, Haynes Lead Comeback Victory Over Utah 112-107 - Iowa Wolves
- Vipers Go to the Matt: Force Game 3 - Rio Grande Valley Vipers
- Aces Opening Night Highlighted by Whitney Myer Band, Fireworks - Reno Bighorns
- NBA D-League Daily Developments - G League
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
