Jerel McNeal Lights Up Game Two

by Matthew Brennan, NBA D-League.com

Jerel McNeal and the Rio Grande Valley Vipers entered Wednesday's Game Two with their backs to the wall, needing a win to keep their season alive. McNeal, the team's leading scorer and a GATORADE Call-Up to the Hornets earlier this season, was looking to bounce back from Sunday's Game One loss where he was held to a playoff-low 20 points.

The former Marquette Star responded in a big way in Game Two in Iowa, scoring 37 points as the Vipers cruised to a 141-122 win and forced a deciding Game Three on Friday. McNeal felt that the team put together a consistent effort after not playing at the level they need for the entirety of Game One.

"I think we did what we were supposed to do in Game One", said McNeal after the game. "We kept to our gameplan, and I felt that we came with a lot of energy. We got a lot of 50-50 balls, we were just playing hard. We did that in spurts in the first game but tonight we were very consistent and we were able to get the win."

A 20-point outing would be a great night for most players, but McNeal felt that his performance in Game One was a bit of a letdown, especially after averaging 33.0 points per game in the series against Reno. For Wednesday's game, he decided to bring more energy starting on the defensive end in order to help his team get the win. The end result was 37 points with nine rebounds and eight assists. He also got to the line 13 times, converting all of his attempts successfully.

"I felt that I really let the team down on Sunday. I didn't feel like I played terrible, but I could have played a lot better. I think these guys needed me to play better for us to be successful, and I didn't bring the energy I could have in Game One. That was my focus tonight, especially defensively. I started with that and everything else came together."

McNeal and the Vipers also fed off of the highly-charged atmosphere for Game Two in Wells-Fargo Arena. The game attracted a record crowd of 14,036 fans who attented in hopes of seeing Iowa win an NBA D-League title. The Vipers had other plans and the teams will meet again on Friday to decide the title.

"It was almost like being back in college," said McNeal about the game. "A really great homecourt atmosphere and a packed house. It's fun playing in that type of situation, and I think it worked in a good way for us. Our guys were excited to play and we came out with a lot of energy. You have to give a lot of respect to Iowa's fans, they came out and showed a lot of support."

Looking forward to Friday's Game Three, McNeal and the Vipers know that they have what it takes to win on Iowa's home floor, but still know that Friday is a whole new game. They are vying to become the first lower-seeded team to win the Finals since the format moved to a best-of-three in 2008.

"We feel confident, but not overconfident, said McNeal about the Vipers' mindset heading into Game Three. "Something we talk about in regards to teams that are successful is keeping things on an even keel. Tonight was a really big win for us and a great response after Game One, but Friday is a new day and we have to come out and put 48 minutes together and get another win."

Whether or not the Vipers win the title on Friday, McNeal feels that his first NBA D-League season has been a rewarding one. He accomplished every NBA D-League's players goal in 2010-11 with a GATORADE Call-Up, but feels that the best way to cap off a banner season would be to win an NBA D-League championship with Rio Grande Valley.

"It's been one of the better years of my life and my career," said McNeal of his season. "I came into this situation with the Vipers and I've been here from the start of the season. You have your ups and downs, you see guys get traded or get call-ups, and I got that opportunity as well, and I made the All-Star team which was something I was proud of. It's been a great year for me and it would be even better to end it with a championship on Friday."