Six teams remain for four spots as we head into the final week of the BIG3 regular season next Saturday. Week 8 set the table with teams fighting to ensure their status for the finale. Each game was hard-fought, and the intensity was kicked up a notch with high stakes. Next week will take it a step further with playoff spots on the line. Week 9 is sure to be one of the best weeks in BIG3 history, but before we get there, let’s take a look at who had the best performances in week 8.
BIG3 Basketball Week 8 Top Performances
Montrezl Harrell (Chicago Triplets)
Week 8 stats: 28 points, 10 rebounds, 1 assists, 2 blocks
The Chicago Triplets improve to 5-2 and first place in the BIG3 standings. Montrezl Harrell put up back-to-back double-doubles as he followed up his 22 points and 10 rebounds last week with an even better game this week, posting 28 points and 10 rebounds. Harrell also had two blocks in both contests. He continues to be not only one of the best rookies in the BIG3 but also one of the best overall players in the league.
Earl Clark (DMV Trilogy)
Week 8 stats: 23 points, 13 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 block
DMV Trilogy looked to play spoiler against the LA Riot, and that’s exactly what they did with a 50-42 victory. Like so many times, Earl Clark led the way, this time tallying a double-double with 23 points and 13 rebounds. This is the third time in the last four weeks that Clark has scored 20 plus. It’s also his third double-double of the season. Trilogy might be eliminated from playoff contention, but Clark is here to make sure they spoil the plans of other teams like the Riot.
Jonathon Simmons (Boston Ball Hogs)
Week 8 stats: 22 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1 block
Jonathon Simmons is constantly having some of the best performances week in and week out in the BIG3. Last week, he had his worst game of the season, but he still scored 11 points. He bounced back this week to his season norm, scoring 22 points and put some work in on defense as well with a steal and a block. The Boston Ball Hogs were in need of a win in this tight playoff race, and they got it thanks to Simmons’ performance.
Glen Rice Jr. (Dallas Power)
Week 8 stats: 20 points, 4 rebounds, 8 assists
The Dallas Power just keep finding a way to win despite players being out. Last week, they won with only three players, and this week they won despite Greg Monroe being out, who had a double-double in each of the last two weeks. In Week 8, Glen Rice Jr. led the way for Dallas. He too put up a double-double last week in the win and followed that up with 20 points and eight rebounds this week for another win. This team is deep, and when they’re at full strength, they’ll be a tough team to stop as we head towards the BIG3 playoffs.
Dwight Howard (LA Riot)
Week 8 stats: 18 points, 17 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 blocks
Despite a masterful performance by Howard, the LA Riot fell to DMV Trilogy, and now their season rests upon what other teams do in the final week of the regular season. Howard put up a season-high 18 points and a season-high 17 rebounds, just one away from trying the single-game rebound record. He also recorded three blocks on the defensive end, having one of the best all-around performances in the BIG3 this season.Â
Other Notable Performances:
Michael Beasley (Miami 205): 17 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals
Dajuan Summers (Dallas Power): 15 points, 1 rebounds
Lance Stephenson (Miami 305): 14 points, 7 rebounds, 1 assist
Cameron Smith (Detroit Amps): 14 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 block
Deshawn Stephens (Boston Ball Hogs): 13 points, 7 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal
Jaylen Johnson (Houston Rig Hands): 13 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 block
Franklin Session (DMV Trilogy): 13 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 1 block
Corey Brewer (Houston Rig Hands): 12 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists
Elijah Stewart (LA Riot): 12 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist
Nasir Core (Chicago Triplets): 12 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists
Jeremy Pargo (Detroit Amps): 10 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal
Garlon Green (Houston Rig Hands): 8 points, 11 rebounds
Week 8 Scores:
Boston Ball Hogs 52; Detroit Amps 40
Dallas Power 51; Houston Rig Hands 47
DMV Trilogy 50; LA Riot 42
Chicago Triplets 50; Miami 305 41
Week 9 Schedule:
Houston Rig Hands (1-6) vs Miami 305 (4-3)
Boston Ball Hogs (4-3) vs LA Riot (3-4)
DMV Trilogy (2-5) vs Dallas Power (5-2)
Chicago Triplets vs Detroit Amps (4-3)
