Cleveland Charge sweeps the weekend with overtime victory against the Raptors 905
What a game! Tied up at 115 each the game went into overtime with the first team to score seven points being declared the winner. It ended up with Cleveland needing one point for the win and the Toronto Raptors 905 just two points short. A massive battle erupted under the hoop as both teams battled like no tomorrow. Zhaire Smith got control of the ball as the shot clock came dangerously close to expiring and his shot while falling backwards went in as the crowd of 3,115 went completely and utterly berserk. It was a great way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day at the Wolstein Center in downtown Cleveland, Ohio. It was also Cleveland Salute Night with a Caris LeVert bobble head giveaway as well as extra prize giveaways and the entire team turning out for autographs.
Cleveland scoring was led by Sharife Cooper with a game high 34 points along with eight assists, six rebounds and two steals in 40 minutes. Isaiah Mobley’s effort yielded 24 points, nine rebounds, six assists, four steals and two blocks in 42 minutes. Zhaire Smith scored 22 points (including the game winning bucket) along with nine rebounds and two steals in 36 minutes. Pete Nance was good for 13 points and six assists in 37 minutes.
Raptors 905 scoring was led by Kevin Obanor’s 26 points on 8-of-11 shooting with seven boards in 30 minutes off the bench. Justise Winslow added 22 points and grabbed 16 rebounds with five assists and two steals in 35 minutes. Mouhanadou Gueye earned a double-double of 14 points and 10 rebounds with three blocks in 38 minutes.
The Cleveland Charge hit the road for a trio of games that begins with a meeting with the Memphis Hustle on Wednesday, March 21st with tip-off at 8:00 p.m. This game will be followed by two games against the Sioux Falls Skyforce on March 23rd and 24th. The team returns home for their final regular season home game on March 27th when they battle the Windy City Bulls with the game beginning at 7:00 p.m. The season ends with the team on the road with a game against the Grand Rapids Gold on March 28th starting at 7:00 p.m. with their final game of the season against the Birmingham Squadron at 8:00 p.m. on March 30th.