Crown League Game of the Night: 1 Love T.O. vs M.A.D.E.

Game 1 of Crown League in week 4 was a nail biter, especially with seeding on the line – winning games matters now, more than ever.

Toronto’s greatest summer league, the Nike Crown League, returned for another week of high-flying action and slick passing. After four weeks of visceral battle, teams have finally started to feel out the competition.

As a result, the games have progressively gotten more serious. With only two more weeks to determine seeding, week four had huge implications for the playoffs.

You don’t have to shoot well to win. 1 Love T.O. are the reigning champions of Crown League and their finally starting to round in to shape.

In a 70-68 victory for 1 Love T.O.,  No.14 Brady Heslip led the way with a game high 28 points, but it wasn’t as pretty as you may think. Heslip was 10-of-23 (43 percent) from the field and 2-of-9 (22.2 percent) from three-point range.

The team unanimously shot poorly (41.2 percent), especially in the first half when they went scoreless for the first 4:05 of the game. A time out was called and the strategy planned out, completely changed the complexion of the game – crash the boards and trap the screen and roll.

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It was a game plan employed to slow down M.A.D.E.’s speedy guard, No. 20 Junior Cadougan, who torched 1 Love early but cooled off, scoring 16 points. The trap worked, resulting in 13 turnovers by M.A.D.E. and a lot of flustered possessions, with guards trying to dribble around the trap instead of trying to pass out of it.

After the half, M.A.D.E. looked to be coached up, as they were able to navigate the trap and deliver the ball to their sharpshooters, No. 8 Papa Oppong and Jermaine Anderson, who shot 8-of-10 from range combined.

However, even though amazing shooting is great, if the other team ultimately gets more attempts, you’re going to lose. 1 Love shot terribly, but were able to dominate the boards 32 to 23, creating numerous opportunities to score.

1 Love T.O. had 68 shot attempts to M.A.D.E.’s 49. No. 13 Chadrack Lufile, led the charge with a Rodman-esque Line of zero points, zero assists and zero steals, but had eight boards, along with a block.

1 Love T.O. used their size advantage regularly and effectively, particularly near the end. Up 62-59 with 1:35 left in the game, they were able to secure three offensive rebounds in one possession and finally get a lay up with a minute left in the game.

A free-throw battle ensued, and a heroic three-pointer by Cadougan cut the lead to two. Ultimately though, the lead proved insurmountable.

This win was huge for 1 Love T.O., as they were 1-2 entering the game and facing fifth place, with a loss in a playoff race that has really begun to heat up. Now, with their record sitting at 2-2, they join the middle of the pack, sparring for third with ACE and CIA Bounce.

Next: Was Mike Krzyzewski right to call out Kyle Lowry?

With this loss, M.A.D.E. has lost their chance at a perfect season, but still remain atop the league standings, sharing the number one spot with 9Now. If previous play has been any indication, M.A.D.E. will be one of the top seeds heading into the playoffs.

Q Mack line of the night: After a Joel Anthony block at the beginning of the second half: “That was swifter than Taylor on Kanye’s voicemail!”