Magic Gaming Begins Play in Inaugural Season
May 3, 2018
76ers GC 67, Magic Gaming 64
Magic Gaming knows they will need their point guard and first round draft pick, Christopher “KontruL” Cantrell, to play at a high level on both ends of the floor if they want to make a deep run this season.
While it wasn’t quite enough to hold off 76ers GC in the Magic’s 67-64 loss, KontruL delivered a terrific all-around performance with 18 points and 12 assists. He shot 6-of-10 from the field and 4-of-6 from 3-point range but did have a costly turnover down the stretch.
Known for his defensive tenacity, KontruL did a very good job slowing down fellow first round selection, Ethan “Radiant” White, in the second half.
The 76ers, however, seized momentum away from the Magic, who led by five with 1:12 remaining when Brian “NachoTraynor” Traynor flushed down a thunderous rim-rocking jam.
Antonio “Newdini” Newman drilled a go-ahead 3-pointer with 38 seconds left for the 76ers, who outscored the Magic by six in the final frame to advance to the next round of the Tip-Off Tournament.
Emmanuel “UCMANNY” Cruz led the Magic with 20 points and Cameron “KingCamRoyalty” Ford, who replaced Jorge “marley213s” Renteria in the lineup for this game, was solid in his first appearance. One of the final picks in the draft, KingCamRoyalty scored 12 points and had one of the tournament’s most electrifying dunks when he posterized Alexander “Steez” Bernstein.
While disappointed they weren’t able to get a win during this week’s trip to New York, Magic Gaming knows it is a long season and will have plenty of time to improve before returning to the Big Apple for the start of the regular season.
Blazer5 Gaming 73, Magic Gaming 59
Raptors Uprising GC 68, Magic Gaming 51
Looking to build confidence and develop chemistry early on in the inaugural season of the NBA 2K League, Magic Gaming showed some good signs in the first half of their opener of the Tip-Off Tournament.
They led 15-9 after one, and were getting balanced production across the lineup. As the game wore on, though, Raptors Uprising GC took control, overwhelming Magic Gaming down low.
Fortunately, the Magic will have an opportunity to quickly bounce back from their 68-51 loss. They match up against Blazers Gaming in Group C action at 6 p.m. ET.
Bilal “SUPREME PULLER” Almashni, selected 42nd overall by the Magic in the draft, had a pair of jaw-dropping dunks and scored 16 points on 8-of-15 shooting from the field.
Christopher “KontruL” Cantrell, the eighth overall pick, filled up the stat sheet with 13 points, four assists, two rebounds, two blocks and one steal. Emmanuel “UCMANNY” Cruz dished out a team-high six assists. He was chosen 27th overall.
The Magic struggled to protect the paint and defend Yusuf “Yusuf_Scarbz” Abdulla, who posted 28 points, 15 rebounds and four assists. The Raptors outscored the Magic, 23-10, in the fourth quarter.
The top two teams from Group C will advance to the final stage of the Tip-Off Tournament, which will take place on Saturday. The Magic’s regular season schedule begins next week.