DONGGUAN (China) - Top seed Miami (USA) heated up the FIBA 3x3 Dongguan Challenger on October 9-10 to claim their third title of the season Here is what happened in the 18th Challenger of the season. The winner: Miami (USA) They were: No.1 points & highlights
After a stunning semi-final loss to Taipei WanBao (TPE) at the Kaohsiung City Challenger, Miami made amends with an unbeaten run in Dongguan.
The Americans were locked in from the get go and made a statement with victory over Kanazawa (JPN), who were brought back to earth after their surprise title romp in Kaohsiung City.
Miami had a tougher fight against Christchurch BBNZ (NZ) before cruising past Shinagawa CITY EXE (JPN) and OG NY Harlem (USA) in the knockouts. Superstar Henry Caruso was inspirational in an amazing OT final against Vienna (AUT) to make sure Miami got over the line.
He had plenty of support through the event with Mitch Hahn and Dylan Travis each having big moments during Miami's title-winning campaign.
The runner-up: Vienna (AUT)
They were: No.1 best shooting value
After their return to the pro circuit ended in quarter-final disappointment at the WT Shenzhen, Vienna came within an inch of winning their second title of the season.
Having dominated pool play, the Austrians overcame dangerous Lugano (SUI) in the quarters before their defense lifted a level to thwart the normally free-flowing Hangzhou (CHN) in the semis.
Quincy Diggs and Enis Murati were an incredible one-two punch in the final but it wasn't enough against Miami. Murati and speedy Nico Kaltenbrunner combined for 65 points in the event as Vienna issued a reminder that they are one of the very best teams in the business.
The Final: Miami 22-Vienna 21
Unsurprisingly for two of the top teams on the planet, Miami and Vienna have built a compelling rivalry in recent seasons. And this latest chapter between the top seeds lived up to the hype in arguably the best ever game between them.
Hahn was out to end this game quickly, scoring the first three points before Vienna caught their breath. James Parrott was proving hard to stop around the basket as Miami skipped out to a 6-2 lead. In danger of being blown out, the Austrians looked to Murati and Kaltenbrunner who combined for four quick points to get Vienna back in the game.
It was bucket for bucket from then on as the big dogs stepped up in the clutch. First it was Diggs then Caruso as the teams chased the magical 21-point mark.
With the game tied at 20 apiece, Diggs had a chance to win the title at the line but his second FT was badly off target. Both teams missed game-winning shots and almost inevitably this went into OT.
Murati inched Vienna closer with a layup but, fittingly, Caruso stepped up to be the hero with a two from the corner to seal his deserved MVP.
The reward: Three tickets to WT Bucharest
Miami, Vienna and Hangzhou received tickets for WT Bucharest on November 8-9. Final Standings: 1. Miami (USA) 2. Vienna (AUT) 3. NY Harlem (USA) 4. Hangzhou (CHN) 5. Lugano (SUI) Top Scorers: 1. Enis Murati (Vienna, AUT) 33 pts 2. Nico Kaltenbrunner (Vienna, AUT) 32 pts 3. Mitch Hahn (Miami, USA) 30 pts 4. Henry Caruso (Miami, USA) 30 pts 5. Dominique Jones (Miami, USA) 30 pts Key Stats: - Goran Vidovic had a monster 11 points and 6 rebounds in Hangzhou's pool win over Shinagawa CITY EXE (JPN). - Adris De Leon had a remarkable Day One performance, where he threw up two triple-fives for Lugano. - Miami's epic victory over Vienna in the final was the longest game of the tournament, lasting 11'33" in playing time.
FIBA