Generation 70, Air Force 1 59

This last game of the night was one of those games that the NBA scheduled for national television before the season, but no one knew that it was going to be such a huge matchup. Word from the Commissioner was that they even hired extra security. What transformed from a key matchup of Joe Branch vs. Jason Burke got added a whole new dimension: Dan Solomito. You know when the Lakers had to decide whether or not to trade Kobe or Shaq? Well, Generation decided to trade Kobe.

Once again, despite all the hype and madness surrounding the big men, Air Force 1 had to play another game with only five guys. Starting on the bench to begin the game, Solomito's debut was delayed for the first four and a half minutes. And Generation needed him. With Paul Rivera in the house, then meant Brandon Smith was going to be raining murder from long-range. And he did, starting the game with a deep three.

While some critics questioned the trade from Generation's standpoint, what they didn't remember is how good J.J. McGowan is. Transforming his game from Manu Ginobili to Steve Nash, he was running the point guard spot like the two-time MVP. A drive and kick to Curtis Pemberton, then a runner tear drop in the lane, and McGowan was silencing the doubters.

So when Solomito did finally enter the game, he made his presence known with a kiss off the glass. Next time down, Branch hit a three. Is Solomito-Branch the best big man tandem in the League? Only time will tell, but early on, they looked great. One nuance to this Generation team is that with Rafael DaSilva gone, Branch now becomes their A-1 scorer. And with a 22-16 lead at the 10-minute mark, that didn't appear to be a bad thing.

So as the gym was uncharacteristically packed for the late game, everyone got what they came for. After a a Solomito bucket and foul, Burke got the ball after it came through the net and dropped it on Solomito while he was still on the floor. Jumping up as if ready to fight, you could see that if/when these two meet again, it could get ugly. Right before the buzzer, Solomito knocked in a three to extend the Generation lead to 38-28, and you could see that Round 2 was going his way.

In the second half, Air Force 1 was tired, had a lack of scorers (as well as oxygen) and Generation was in their head. Despite a three from the parking lot for Smith, Air Force 1 couldn't really break that 10-point margin. Somehow no matter if Burke got one on the block, or Rivera hit a jumper, McGowan and Solomito would answer. With two minutes they were able to get as close as 61-55, but it was too late.

Final score: Generation wins, 70-59.

	1	2		T
Generation	38	32	-	70
Air Force 1	28	31	-	59

Box Scores

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