CBS SPORTS: Big3 Recaps Week 8 – Nate the Great highlights Survival Saturday as the Perfect Storm takes shape ahead of the Big3 Ballout

Saturday Games – Miami, FL

3 Headed Monsters 50, Enemies 32

The 3 Headed Monsters (3-4) bounced back after their heartbreaking loss to Iso Joe and the Triplets to put together their most complete game of the season to snap their 4-game skid and destroy the Enemies (3-4) in Miami. Former Heatles Mario Chalmers and Rashard Lewis set the tone early by hitting back to back threes to give the Monsters a 6-0 lead. Larry Sanders changed the game as soon as he came off the bench by blocking shots, cleaning the glass and having his way in the paint. The 3 Headed Monsters led 25-17 at half behind Chalmers, Lewis and Sanders who combined for 20 of the Monsters’ 25 points in the 1st half.

After going scoreless in the 1st half, Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf turned back the clock and scored 13 in the 2nd half. He scored the Monsters first 13 points of the half. The 3 Headed Monsters ended the game on a 10-2 run with Chalmers hitting a 4-pointer and Lewis icing the game from the line. The Monsters shot 50 percent from the field (18/36) and behind the arc (6/12) for the game.

The return of Agent Zero did not matter as he finished the game with 5 points on 2-for-7 shooting. Craig Smith (16 points) put the team on his back and scored half of the Enemies’ points as no one else showed up. The Enemies’ playoff hopes are all but erased with the loss.

Tri-State 50, Power 43

Tri-State (3-4) behind the heroics of Nate the Great (career-high 20 points)
and Jason Richardson (19 points, 10 rebounds) pulled off a stunning win over the reigning champs Power (5-2) who had their 3-game winning streak snapped. Nate Robinson called game as he banked in a game-winning 3-pointer as former teammate Glen “Big Baby” Davis caught him as he made the shot. #HeatLifer Dwyane Wade loved the moment. That capped a wild 2nd half for Tri-State as they outscored Power 30-16.

Richardson and Amare’ Stoudemire both responded after subpar games last week. J-Rich had his 1st double-double since the start of season as he played superb defense the whole night. After scoring Tri-State’s first 7 points of the game, Stoudemire turned into a menace defensively and finished the game with a season-high 4 blocks.

Corey Maggette led the way with 19 points but did not get much support after Quentin Richardson (8 points off the bench) exited the game in the 1st half with a sprained ankle. Power led 27-20 at half while shooting 53 percent from the field. Nancy Lieberman’s squad were a win away from clinching a playoff spot but that will have to wait until next week.

Ghost Ballers 50, Trilogy 47

The Ghost Ballers (4-3) kept their playoff hopes alive last night by snapping
the Trilogy’s 4-game winning streak thanks to Solomon Jones’ game-winning 3-pointer. Jones, who was signed last week to replace Carlos Boozer, had zero points going into the game. He had only four points in the game until the final possession, but showed absolutely no hesitation as he rose up and knocked down the shot. George Gervin’s team won their 2nd straight game as they head into the Big3 Ballout with momentum.

Chris Johnson led the way with 14 points, 7 rebounds in his 2nd game with the Ballers. 12 of his 14 came in the 1st half as he continues to be a difference maker for this team. Alex Scales had a season-high 13 points while Mike Taylor continues to play with tremendous hustle and effort as he finished with 8 points and 7 rebounds. The Ghost Ballers had five players score at least 7 points.

Samardo Samuels led Trilogy (4-3) with 16 points to go along with 13 rebounds. After James White (14 points, 9 rebounds) was called with an offensive foul with the Trilogy up 45-41, they were outscored 9-2 the rest of the way. Trilogy faced a halftime deficit for the 2nd straight week (25-18) and paid the price since they outscored the Ghost Ballers 29-25 in the 2nd half.