Magic Gaming’s Stellar Second Half Propels Them Past Mavs Gaming

Two of Magic Gaming’s standout players were under the weather heading into Friday’s contest with Mavs Gaming. But it was Dallas who left the matchup feeling ill.

Magic Gaming used a stellar second-half effort to surge past Mavs Gaming, owners of the second-best record in the NBA 2K League, for a 73-58 victory.

Daniel “DT” Tlais and Cameron “KingCamRoyalty” Ford fought through severe stomach bugs to lead the onslaught, despite concerns that they might not be able to suit up for the matchup. DT erupted for 14 of his 21 points in a third quarter where Orlando outscored Dallas, 21-8. He finished the game with five rebounds, four steals and three blocks, while KingCamRoyalty added 14 points and five rebounds.

“They were playing through illness, but they still played great,” Magic Head Coach Jonah Edwards explained. “Especially DT, he had an incredible game, and Cam had a great second half, really made plays down the stretch.”

Brendan “Reizey” Hill continued to solidify his case as the league’s Rookie of the Year by doing damage both scoring and dishing out the basketball. On a night where he fired off 21 points, Reizey also matched his career high by handing out 15 assists for the second straight game.

“He has been such a staple for us on offense, really all year,” Edwards said. “He’s gotten better every single week, and there are really few players in the league you can say that about.”

The victory propelled Magic Gaming into fifth in the NBA 2K League standings as they continue to make their push for the playoffs. In the process, they handed Mavs Gaming just their third loss of the regular season and help spoil a broadcast slate that was centered around Dallas’ upcoming matchup against Blazer5 Gaming – who currently possess the league’s best record – at 8 p.m. ET tonight.

“It gives us a lot of confidence, to be honest,” DT said. “We knew this game was probably our season. If we won it put us in a really good spot and if we lost, it put us in a bad spot, so our backs were pretty much against the wall and everyone performed.”

The victory was surely a little sweeter for Edwards, who notched a victory over the team he coached last season, but he was quick to point out that this win was not about him.

“The goal was to get to 8-5 and we’re there,” he explained. “This game isn’t about me, it’s about these guys and the work they put in, which is almost unmatched in this league.”

After a week-long, league-wide bye to celebrate the Fourth of July, Magic Gaming returns to action on July 12 to face Celtics Crossover Gaming at 8 p.m. ET.