#1 TAMPA BAY TRITONS (56-24) vs. #4 INDIANA INVADERS (50-30)
The stage is set for a thrilling second-round showdown in the OBWL playoffs as the top-seeded Tampa Bay Tritons (54-26) prepare to battle the fourth-seeded Indiana Invaders (50-30) in a best-of-seven series. Both teams bring contrasting styles and strengths to the court, promising a high-stakes chess match between two of the East’s elite.
Regular Season Recap & Team Profiles
Tampa Bay Tritons – The Juggernaut of the East
The Tritons dominated the American East Division with a conference-best 54 wins, powered by a high-octane offense and a disciplined, physical defense. They ranked 1st in the AmCon in scoring margin (+7.5), averaging 104.8 points per game (7th in the AmCon) while holding opponents to just 97.3 (1st in the OBWL). Their efficiency was elite, ranking 3rd in FG% (.479), 4th in FT% (.740), and 5th in adjusted FG% (.516) among American Conference teams.
Defensively, Tampa Bay was a fortress. They allowed the fewest points per game and ranked top-5 in opponent FG% (.442) and adjusted FG% (.482). Their rebounding was strong (45.5 RPG, 3rd in conference), and they were especially dominant on the defensive glass (32.1 DRPG, 3rd in conference).
Their style of play is methodical and physical. They control the tempo with strong rebounding, limit second-chance points, and force opponents into tough shots. Offensively, they rely on efficient inside scoring and ball movement (25.6 APG, 5th in conference), with a balanced attack led by their frontcourt and dynamic guard play.
Indiana Invaders – The Disruptive Force
Indiana enters the series as a dangerous underdog. They finished 3rd in the American East with a 50-30 record and boast one of the league’s most disruptive defenses. The Invaders led the OBWL in steals (10.8 SPG) and blocks (9.0 BPG), and forced a league-best 18.6 turnovers per game. Their aggressive, high-pressure defense is designed to create chaos and fast-break opportunities.
Offensively, Indiana averaged 102.6 PPG (9th in the AmCon), but their efficiency lagged behind Tampa Bay. Among American Conference teams they ranked just 10th in FG% (.450) and 11th in FT% (.656), though they were solid from beyond the arc (.352 3PT%, 5th).
Their rebounding was a mixed bag—strong on the offensive glass (14.2 ORPG, 1st in conference), but weak defensively (30.9 DRPG, 7th in conference), often giving up second-chance points. Their style is fast-paced and opportunistic, relying on turnovers and transition buckets to fuel their offense.
Projected Starters & Matchup Analysis
Center: Herman Winslow (TBT) vs. Ronald Beverly (IND)
Winslow is a dominant two-way force, averaging 17.1 PPG, 7.0 RPG, and shooting .518 from the field. His PER of 24.9 and defensive rating of 95.9 highlight his elite impact. Beverly is no slouch, posting 16.7 PPG and 8.2 RPG with solid defense (1.2 BPG, 1.2 SPG), but he lacks Winslow’s efficiency and polish.
Matchup Winner: Tampa Bay – Winslow’s strength, touch around the rim, and defensive presence give him the edge.
Power Forward: Ronald McAndrew (TBT) vs. Ray Weston (IND)
McAndrew is a glue guy, contributing 7.5 PPG, 6.4 RPG, and solid defense. Weston is more productive offensively (11.8 PPG, 8.6 RPG), but less efficient (.455 FG%). McAndrew’s defensive rating (98.3) and team-first play style make him a better fit in this matchup.
Matchup Winner: Slight edge to Indiana – Weston’s rebounding and scoring give him a narrow advantage.
Small Forward: Rick Cavender (TBT) vs. Jose Gaynor (IND)
Cavender is a versatile wing who contributes across the board (7.0 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 4.0 APG). Gaynor is Indiana’s leading scorer at 17.6 PPG and adds 5.5 RPG and 2.9 APG. While Cavender is more efficient (.528 FG%), Gaynor’s volume scoring and ability to stretch the floor (.365 3PT%) make him a key weapon.
Matchup Winner: Indiana – Gaynor’s offensive firepower gives the Invaders a clear edge here.
Shooting Guard: Jerome Fry (TBT) vs. Chase Samons (IND)
Fry is a scoring machine, averaging 19.7 PPG on .516 shooting and .341 from deep. Samons is a solid all-around guard (12.4 PPG, 3.3 APG, 2.0 SPG) with a strong three-point shot (.415 3PT%). Fry’s efficiency and volume make him a nightmare to guard.
Matchup Winner: Tampa Bay – Fry’s offensive arsenal is too much for Samons to contain.
Point Guard: Jessie Hughes (TBT) vs. Jake Stacy (IND)
Hughes is a pass-first floor general (6.3 APG) with solid defense (0.9 SPG) and efficient shooting (.447 FG%, .821 FT%). Stacy is a steady hand (9.1 PPG, 3.5 APG, 1.6 SPG) and a deadly shooter from deep (.440 3PT%). This is a close battle between a playmaker and a sharpshooter.
Matchup Winner: Even – Hughes controls the tempo, but Stacy’s shooting can swing games.
Series Outlook & Prediction
This series pits Tampa Bay’s structured, efficient, and physical style against Indiana’s aggressive, turnover-hungry chaos. The Tritons excel in half-court sets, rebounding, and interior scoring, while the Invaders thrive in transition and rely on their defense to generate offense.
The key to the series will be tempo. If Indiana can speed up the game, force turnovers, and get out in transition, they can steal games. But Tampa Bay’s disciplined offense (14.5 TO/G) and elite defense (97.3 OPP PPG) are built to withstand pressure and grind out wins.
Tampa Bay also holds the edge in shooting efficiency, rebounding, and overall depth. Their ability to control the glass and limit second-chance points will neutralize Indiana’s offensive rebounding advantage. Meanwhile, Fry and Winslow give them two reliable scoring options that Indiana may struggle to contain over a seven-game series.
Prediction: Tampa Bay wins the series 4-2
#2 LOS ANGELES CHAOS (50-30) vs. #6 ST. LOUIS SUN KINGS (47-33)
The American Conference Semifinals are set to ignite as the #2 seed Los Angeles Chaos (50-30) prepare to clash with the surging #6 seed St. Louis Sun Kings (47-33) in a best-of-seven showdown. Both teams bring contrasting styles and strengths to the court, promising a thrilling series filled with strategic chess matches, high-octane offense, and gritty defense.
Let’s break down the matchup from top to bottom.
Regular Season Recap & Team Profiles
Los Angeles Chaos: Balanced Brilliance
The Chaos finished the regular season as the top team in the West Division, thanks to a well-rounded attack and a deep, versatile roster. Offensively, they ranked 1st in the American COnference in points per game (111.3), 2nd in field goal percentage (.495), and 2nd in free throw percentage (.776). Their offensive efficiency was elite, with a 1.24 points per shot (2nd in conference) and a .529 adjusted FG% (2nd in conference). They also moved the ball well, ranking 2nd in assists (26.9 in AmCon).
Defensively, the Chaos were no slouches either. They held opponents to 104.7 points per game (6th in conference), dominated the glass with a +5.0 rebounding margin, and were 2nd in the AmCon in defensive rebounding (32.6). Their shot-blocking was formidable (8.4 blocks per game, 3rd in conference), and they forced turnovers at a solid clip.
However, their Achilles’ heel lies in perimeter defense and fouling. They ranked 9th in steals (5.8 in conference) and committed 20.6 fouls per game (10th in conference), which could be exploited by a team that thrives on drawing contact.
St. Louis Sun Kings: Work Hard, Win Hard
The Sun Kings clawed their way into the second round with a gritty, physical style. They ranked 6th in the AmCon in scoring (105.7 PPG) but were elite on the boards, leading the American Conference in total rebounds (48.5) and defensive rebounds (34.5). Their defense was stingy, allowing just 98.9 points per game (3rd in conference), and they excelled at protecting the rim (8.8 blocks per game, 2nd in conference) and generating steals (9.0, 2nd in conference).
St. Louis plays a bruising, physical brand of basketball. They led the conference in fewest fouls committed (15.1) and were top-3 in rebounding margin (+6.3). Their field goal percentage (.463) was middle-of-the-pack, but they made up for it with second-chance points and defensive stops.
Their weaknesses? Turnovers (15.5 per game, 12th in conference) and inconsistent shooting from deep (.338 3PT%, 9th in conference). They also struggled to generate assists (25.0, 6th in conference), indicating a more isolation-heavy offense.
In short: The Chaos play fast, efficient, and balanced basketball. The Sun Kings grind it out with defense, rebounding, and physicality.
Projected Starters & Matchup Analysis
Center: Raymond Lindstrom (LAC) vs. Antoine Gooden (STL)
Lindstrom is a dominant offensive force, averaging 26.5 PPG on .530 shooting with a PER of 28.4. He’s a high-usage, high-efficiency big who can score inside and from midrange. Gooden is no slouch, averaging 14.9 PPG and 9.5 RPG with a strong defensive rating (93.3) and solid rim protection (0.9 BPG).
Matchup Verdict: Chaos wins. Lindstrom’s offensive arsenal and efficiency give him the edge over the more traditional, defense-first Gooden.
Power Forward: Luke Nunez (LAC) vs. Larry Bricker (STL)
Nunez is a glue guy—9.4 PPG, 7.7 RPG, and a .530 FG%. He’s efficient and reliable. Bricker is a rugged rebounder (4.9 RPG) and solid defender (D Eff 93.0), but less efficient offensively (.474 FG%).
Matchup Verdict: Chaos wins. Nunez’s two-way consistency and rebounding match Bricker’s grit, but his offensive efficiency tips the scale.
Small Forward: Raimundo Vazquez (LAC) vs. Ambrose Vela (STL)
Vazquez is a versatile wing (11.7 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 2.2 APG) with a .488 FG% and .381 from deep. Vela is a veteran playmaker (14.7 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 4.1 APG) with a lower shooting percentage (.434) but more playmaking.
Matchup Verdict: Even. Vazquez is more efficient and better from deep, but Vela’s experience and all-around game balance it out.
Shooting Guard: Brandon Wells (LAC) vs. Dennis Massey (STL)
This is a marquee matchup. Wells is a dynamic scorer (16.0 PPG), elite shooter (.514 FG%, .447 3PT%, .959 FT%), and top-tier playmaker (6.6 APG). Massey is a volume scorer (17.6 PPG), solid shooter (.479 FG%, .397 3PT%), and strong defender (D Eff 98.4).
Matchup Verdict: Chaos wins. Wells’ elite shooting splits and playmaking give him the edge in a battle of high-scoring guards.
Point Guard: Octavio Watson (LAC) vs. Emmanuel Shults (STL)
Watson is a rising star (9.3 PPG, 5.5 APG, .565 TS%) with solid defense. Shults is a floor general (9.4 PPG, 7.0 APG) with a better assist rate but lower shooting efficiency (.433 FG%).
Matchup Verdict: Even. Watson is more efficient; Shults is more experienced and a better passer.
Series Outlook & Prediction
This series will be a clash of styles: Chaos’s efficient, high-paced offense vs. the Sun Kings’ bruising, defensive-minded approach.
The Chaos have the edge in offensive firepower, shooting, and ball movement. Their ability to stretch the floor with Wells and Vazquez, combined with Lindstrom’s inside dominance, makes them difficult to guard. They also have the depth to withstand physical play.
The Sun Kings will try to slow the pace, dominate the boards, and force turnovers. If they can control tempo and limit Chaos’s transition game, they can grind out wins. But their turnover issues and inconsistent shooting could be fatal flaws against a team as efficient as Los Angeles.
The Chaos’ offensive efficiency, superior shooting, and star power—especially from Lindstrom and Wells—will be too much for the Sun Kings to overcome in a seven-game series. Expect St. Louis to steal a couple of games with their defense and rebounding, but ultimately, the Chaos will advance to the American Conference Finals.
Prediction: Los Angeles Chaos win the series 4-2.
