CJ Goater/XFM News
The London Lightning beat the Windsor Express 106-99 in game 1 of the National Basketball League of Canada’s playoff semi-final.
For the second consecutive game Amir Williams led the way for the Lightning. He won player of the game and finished with 22 points and 7 rebounds. The Defensive Player of the Year Finalist once again displayed his ability to impact the game on both sides of the court.
Chris Jones also played a crucial role for the Lightning off the bench finishing with 19 points, 7 assists, and 6 rebounds, while constantly harassing the Express’ guards on the defensive end.
Jachai Taylor led the way for the Express finishing with 23 points, and 3 rebounds.
The Lightning won the rebounding battle 52-35, and it was a key part of there success as they only shot 43% from the field (34/79).
The first half was tightly contested, but a technical in the second quarter on Windsor’s Marcus Anderson was the turning point. At the time the Windsor Express held a 27-26 lead, but after the Lightning’s Mareik Isom hit the free throw to tie the game up, the Lightning used the momentum to carry a lead into the halftime break 58-47.
The Lightning Bench played a key role in the first half outscoring the Express’ bench 25-10.
Both teams displayed their ability to defend in transition as there was only six fastbreak points scored in the first half between both teams.
The third quarter was tightly contested, but Windsor’s Nick Garth went down with an injury, and it appeared to have rallied the Express. Once play got back underway the Express tied the game up 71-71, they maintained their strong play and finished the third quarter with a 87-82 lead.
It was a back and forth start to the fourth quarter, and down the stretch the intensity picked up with the occasional hard foul or pushing after the play. At the 5:08 mark of the fourth quarter The Lightning started to turn things around, hitting two threes, in three trips down the court to give them a 100-96 lead.
Shortly after Tanner Stuckman of the Windsor Express was ejected for receiving his sixth foul. Stuckman was very involved in banter between the teams throughout the game, and his ejection appeared to fuel the Lightning.
With just over a minute left Windsor’s Akeem Ellis went down with an injury when trying to split two defenders. Akeem is a vocal leader for the Express when he’s on the court. His availability for the next game is unknown.
Ultimately, the Lightning were able to execute down the stretch and secure the victory in game 1 of the playoffs.
After the game Amir Williams said “I know what time of year it is, I’ve been in this position before, this is year seven or eight of me playing pro. We got a couple guys on our team who are vets (veterans of the league) and have been to the playoffs. It’s not going to be an easy road at all, and we have to take it game by game, and continue to bring more and more energy, and pay attention to detail down the stretch.”
The Lightning will be back in action for game 2 of the NBLC’s playoff semi-finals this Tuesday at Budweiser Gardens, tip off is at 7p.m.
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