The fireworks wrapped up on this Fourth of July weekend with an explosive week of BIG3 basketball. This Week 3 slate started out with a near-improbable comeback and the first four-pointer made on the season. In fact, there were no four-point shots made in the BIG3 before this week, and in the first two games of this slate, we saw four of them made. What’s even more impressive is that coming into Sunday, we hadn’t seen a 30-point performance yet in the BIG3…until this week, when two of them were performed.
Heading into Week 4, there are two undefeated teams left in the league and two that have yet to win a game. One of the winless teams is the Houston Rig Hands, who were on the wrong side of history when they set the BIG3 record with 10 consecutive losses, a mark dating back to last season.
Before we get to next week, let’s take a look at an eventful Week 3 in the league.
Top Week 3 Performances in the BIG3
Montrezl Harrell (Chicago Triplets)
Week 3 stats: 34 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 2 blocks
Making his season debut after missing the first two weeks of the season due to injury, Montrezl Harrell came back and put up the most points in a BIG3 game so far this season with 34. His 34 points are also tied for the third-most points in a single game in league history.Â
The Chicago Triplets went 2-0 without Harrell to start the season and looked good doing it. Now that Harrell is back, Chicago looks even more dangerous with what the reigning BIG3 Rookie of the Year displayed in his first game this season. He absolutely took over the BIG3 Championship rematch and has been one of the most unguardable players ever since he made his league debut last season, as he was on Sunday.
Nasir Core (Detroit Amps)
Week 3 stats: 31 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, 1 four-pointer
We almost saw the greatest comeback in BIG3 Basketball history by the Detroit Amps, but their efforts ultimately fell short, 51-48. They were down 25-9 at half and once had a 21-point deficit to the Dallas Power before making a late surge to make it a game-point scenario in their favor. Even though the Amps couldn’t break through in the end, this comeback attempt was made possible by Nasir Core.
Core put up an all-time performance in the second half, scoring a BIG3 career-high 31 points altogether. He also secured eight boards with two assists and two steals. Core also made five three-pointers and made the first four-pointer in the league this season. Unfortunately for Detroit, they are now 0-3 and their season already hangs in the balance, but it’s not without fight from Core, who also had a double-double last week and another near one in Week 1.Â
Jeremy Pargo (Boston Ball Hogs)
Week 3 stats: 25 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 3 four-pointers
Jeremy Pargo completely flipped the game for the Boston Ball Hogs and put on a show, recording a double-double with 25 points and 10 rebounds. 12 of those 25 points came via the four-point circle, as he made three consecutive four-pointers at one point in the game.
Pargo can take over a game with his sharp-shooting ability from deep, and today’s example is why he’s the all-time leader in four-point makes in BIG3 Basketball history. This is Pargo’s second 20-point performance in a row, scoring 20 last week in a win as well, showing that as he goes, the Ball Hogs go.
Lance Stephenson (Miami 305)
Week 3 stats: 22 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal
After serving a one-game suspension last week, Lance Stephenson made sure to make up for his absence with a 22-point performance against the Triplets. This was one of his better performances since he came into the league last season but it wasn’t enough to get the victory, moving the Miami 305 to 1-2 on the season.
He didn’t have much help this week, as it was Michael Beasley’s turn to serve his one-game suspension. In each of the last three games to start the season, the 305 have had either players injured, ejected, or suspended, so we haven’t seen a game where they’ve been at full strength. Next week, we’ll get to see the chance of at least the duo of Stephenson and Beasley perform for a full contest…we hope.
Other Notable Performances:
Jordan McRae (DMV Trilogy): 18 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists
Jonathon Simmons (Houston Rig Hands): 18 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal
Earl Clark (DMV Trikogy): 16 points, 6 rebounds, 1 steal
Kevin Murphy (Houston Rig Hands): 12 points, 7 rebounds
Elijah Stewart (Dallas Power): 16 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals, 1 block
TJ Cline (Dallas Power): 12 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist
Greg Monroe (Dallas Power): 12 points, 10 assists, 3 assists, 1 steal, 1 block
Corey Brewer (Detroit Amps): 10 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 assists, 1 block
Deshawn Stephens (Boston Ball Hogs): 14 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal
Dwight Howard (LA Riot): 14 points, 6 rebounds, 1 steal, 1 block
Jordan Crawford (LA Riot): 11 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 block
Chris Allen (LA Riot): 10 points, 1 steal
Week 3 Scores:
Dallas Power 51; Detroit Amps 48
Boston Ball Hogs 50; LA Riot 40
Chicago Triplets 50; Miami 305 38
DMV Trilogy 50; Houston Rig Hands 38
Week 4 Schedule (July 12th):
Miami 305 (1-2) vs Houston Rig Hands (0-3)
LA Riot (1-2) vs Detroit Amps (0-3)
DMV Trilogy (2-1) vs Dallas Power (3-0)
Chicago Triplets (3-0) vs Boston Ball Hogs (2-1)
