It was a nail biter in the end - 216.9 - 213.6. It was a battle of battered powerhouses, with neither Yao nor D-Wade suiting up. Elton Brand, Marcus Camby, Ike Diogu and Ron Artest all underperformed. But it was Andrew Bynum who crumbled under pressure - posting a measly .557 from the critical C1 position when a mere .650 would have been enough to tie and a .652 enough to seal the win.
It was the smallest margin of victory in Provo's illustrious 2007 campaign. In fact, it was the only close game the Jomegamen have played all season. But it was enough for a 15-0 record and a sure shot at the third perfect season in Association history.
But that was not the only close or meaningful game to take place in the Original Recipe this week 15.
In a ferocious late season push for the fourth and final seed in the Empire Conference - and the honor of getting creamed by Provo in the opening round of the playoffs - the Kalamazoo Krakers and New York Schottsies geared up for the last two games of the season. As fate would have it, the division rivals faced each other in week 15, with the Schottsies one game behind. With a motivated Shaq, the Krakers could seal the final playoff spot with a win. But the Schottsies would not have it. King James (1.254), Pau Gasol (1.100) and New York legend Stephon Marbury (.936) clawed their way to a 210-205 victory in spite of mail-ins from the Schottsie's starting guards. With the playoffs fading before their eyes, Kalamazoo got a monster effort out of Shaq (1.300), but Chris Bosh struggled (.831) and Ray Allen wasn't much better (.819).
The Oaksterdam Straightedges also managed to put themselves in the mix by defeating the spiraling San Juan Goatsuckers (194.6-189.6).
As it stands - Oaksterdam, Kalamazoo and New York all sport 8-7 records heading into the final week. Oaksterdam faces the top ranked Jomegamen in their bid for the perfect season. Kalamazoo faces the Fort Myers Cyclones - the third ranked team in the conference and fourth best in the League. While New York lines up against the loser bracket bound Brooklyn Brewers.
The Brewers were grossly mis-coached earlier in the season, however and are a much better team than their record indicates. They posted a 202 in week 15 in a two point loss to the Fort Myers Cyclones and should easily score 200 points in this, the final week of the regular season.
Should all three 8-7 teams lose next week - an entirely plausible outcome - the Schottsie's own the tie-breaker. And everybody knows, once you're invited to the postseason dance anything is possible. On any give week any team can trounce any other. Even Provo.
Who's Hot
Tim Duncan (SAS) - 1.319 (94 minutes)... Three monstrous games as Spurs extend win streak to eight...
Shaquille O'Neal (MIA) - 1.301 (93 minutes)... 31, 15 and 6 against Detroit was vintage Shaq...
LeBron James (CLE) - 1.254 (118 minutes)...110 points over three games...
Lamar Odom (LAL) - 1.187 (75 minutes)...Flashes brilliant average before succumbing to shoulder injury...
Ben Gordon (CHI) - 1.122 (148 minutes)...Out of his four NBA games in week 15, Gordon posted a four digit average in every one of them...
Pau Gasol (MEM) - 1.100 (160 minutes)...Spaniard out to prove that he is indeed a franchise player...
Emmanuel Ginobili (SAS) - 1.082 (73 minutes)...Posted a 1.538 against Magic...
Michael Redd (MIL) - 1.060 (116 minutes)...He's finally back...
Kris Humphries (TOR) - 1.045 (44 minutes)... What?!
LaMarcus Aldridge (POR) - 0.987 (78 minutes)... Scored 30 points against unsuspecting Bobcats...
Tyrus Thomas (CHI) - 0.986 (69 minutes)...Shot 73% from the field and made the most of limited minutes...
Al Jefferson (BOS) - 0.977 (176 minutes)...Grabs 58 boards as the Celtics win four straight...
Corey Maggette (LAC) - 0.967 (121 minutes)...With Livingston our, Maggette steps up...
Gerald Wallace (CHA) - 0.966 (145 minutes)...Filling up box scores with May and Okafor out, but Bobcats keep losing...
Antonio McDyess (DET) - 0.964 (56 minutes)...With a .903 30-day, McDyess hasn't been this hot since 2001...
Kevin Martin (SAK) - 0.937 (159 minutes)...Steps up in Artest's absence...
Stephon Marbury (NYK) - 0.936 (173 minutes)...Scored 30 points per game on 50% shooting... Don't count on a repeat...
Andre Iguodala (PHI) - 0.926 (175 minutes)...Still pumping out the averages without AI... And the Sixers are winning!...
Steve Francis (NYK) - 0.889 (63 minutes)...22 points vs. Hawks first 20 point game since November...
Jason Richardson (GSW) - 0.856 (146 minutes)...Richardson delivers second consecutive mid .800s week... time to move him back into the line-up...
Not so Hot
Gilbert Arenas (WAS) - 0.840 (162 minutes)... Arenas owners expect much more from boastful guard...
Chris Bosh (TOR) - 0.831 (148 minutes)... Definitely a down week for Mr. Bosh...
Vince Carter (NJN) - 0.821 (117 minutes)...And Mr. Carter...
Ray Allen (SEA) - 0.819 (116 minutes)... Out for the rest of the season? Not yet!
Marcus Camby (DEN) - 0.806 (98 minutes)...Third consecutive .800 week for brittle Nugget...
Ron Artest (SAK) - 0.752 (113 minutes)...Rollercoaster continues...
Brandon Roy (POR) - 0.686 (105 minutes)...Worst ROY in recent memory...
Chris Webber (DET) - 0.617 (81 minutes)...Scratched eye blurs production...
Danny Granger (IND) - 0.602 (98 minutes)...There's something about Indiana - the coach? JO? - a plethora of forwards and none can get a decent week...
Andris Biedrins (GSW) - 0.557 (115 minutes)...Down week for young breakout...
Randy Foye (MIN) - 0.538 (52 minutes)... Minny should have kept Roy...
Mike Dunleavy (IND) - 0.514 (109 minutes)... There's something about Indiana...
Drew Gooden (CLE) - 0.493 (69 minutes)... Cleveland bid man losing role...
Luke Ridnour (SEA) - 0.477 (109 minutes)...Shot 30% from field...
Troy Murphy (IND) - 0.459 (85 minutes)... There's something about Indiana...
Speedy Claxton (ATL) - 0.375 (72 minutes)...Who needs Chris Paul?...
Yakhouba Diawara (DEN) - 0.151 (53 minutes)...Makes Bruce Bowen look like Kentucky Fried superstar...
Top Scores from Week 15
- The Sengir Vampires currently lead all prize pool eligible teams (see below). With the big Diesel awakened by Wade's absence the Vampires, who also trot out Dirk Nowitzki, KB8 and T-Mac, are practically unbeatable.
- Don't look now but Trantony - with three of week 15's top 10 teams - is definitely making his mark this season. His Sengir Vampires, likely to win the Association wide prize pool this week, and are also heavy favorites in the Bleague. The Oceanside Rockets hold the number one seed in the ABC. While the Crimson Manticores look to sneak into the Big 16 playoffs with an 8-8 record but should make some noise with a team that features Shaq, Pau and LeBron.
Top Prize Pool Teams
