Hornets Venom GT Facing Knicks Gaming in Last Matchup Before Bye Week

By Sam Perley 

• Hornets Venom GT (9-3) vs. Knicks Gaming (3-5)
• Saturday, June 19, 2021 at 7 PM EST (2 games)
• NBA 2K League Twitch and YouTube Channels
• Last time out: Hornets Venom GT won, 85-71, on May 22, 2020 (won series, 2-0)

Hornets Venom GT Looks to Bounce Back After So-So Showing

Charlotte opened its back-to-back set on Friday night against the Gen.G Tigers by taking Game 1, 76-69, thanks to a dominant fourth quarter before falling short in the closer, 70-57. Hornets Venom entered the matchup averaging less than five turnovers per game this season, although ended up committing 16 total giveaways across the 1-1 split.

The squad also went just 7-of-21 from three (33.3%) in the Game 2 defeat after going 10-of-16 beforehand (62.5%). Of note, Hornets Venom inserted rookie power forward Harsimran “Dhuggz” Dhugga into the starting lineup and perhaps there will be a bit more chemistry amongst the first string tonight now that this particular unit has a couple outings under its belt.

Offense Stalling for Knicks Gaming Amidst 3-5 Start

The 2K League Season 1 Champions got swept by now 9-1 Grizz Gaming on Thursday evening, dropping both contests by a total of just five points. Knicks Gaming also lost twice to a talented Pacers Gaming team in its season opener – both of which came by double-digit margins – before sweeping Celtics Crossover Gaming with a two three-point victories on June 2.

Offense has been at the root of the Knicks’ mediocrity this season as the team currently ranks in the 2KL’s bottom five in both field-goal percentage (57.4%; 20^th) and three-point percentage (46.6%; 19^th). The squad does boast one of the league’s top-producing two-guards in Malik “Original Malik” Hobson (23.1 points), but outside of the backcourt, New York isn’t getting much consistent scoring from its other three positions.

Matchup to Watch: Sherm vs. Duck

Guard Justin “Sherm” Sherman had a relatively quiet Friday night, finishing with 16.5 points on 48% shooting (4-of-9 from three) and a season-high five turnovers in the Game 2 loss. Likewise, Chris “Duck” Pesos averaged just 14.5 points on 41.3% shooting against Grizz Gaming earlier this week following back-to-back 30-point games against Nets GC on June 4. Whichever point guard can snap out of his respective cold spell the quickest will certainly have the advantage tonight.