LiAngelo and LaMelo Ball combined for 96 points as the Los Angeles Ballers cruised past the Atlanta Ballers 170-123 on Thursday's JBA action in Dallas.
The 19-year-old LiAngelo, who went undrafted in this year's NBA Draft, contributed 48 points for the LA Ballers on a dismal 19-for-54 shooting from the field. He also shot a terrible percentage from distance, making just five of his 24 attempts from the three-point country.
"I just want to win for the team. That's all I want to do, win. I'm trying to play ball and I'm trying to get better every day," LiAngelo said on his move to the JBA.
On the other hand, his younger brother, LaMelo also put up 48 points while shooting an efficient 51 percent from the field. The 16-year-old LaMelo added 24 rebounds and 14 assists for the LA Ballers, who handed Atlanta its first loss of the tournament.
Six-foot-nine forward Corey Boyd led Atlanta with 41 points while converting 19 of his 39 attempts from the field. Boyd's teammates Jordan Ray, Isom Butler, and Nigel Chaney shot a combined 20-for-57 from the field.
LA Ballers Display Great Rebounding
Regardless of the terrible shooting of the Ball brothers, who combined for 52 missed shots, the LA Ballers managed to rack up 100 rebounds on the night. The Ball brothers contributed 25 of LA's 52 offensive rebounds.
Interestingly, no team in the NBA has accumulated more offensive rebounds than defensive rebounds since 2012. Additionally, the Boston Celtics hold the record for team rebounds in a game with 97, which they accomplished in the 1965 season.
Coincidentally, the last player in the NBA to take more than 50 shots was Kobe Bryant, who did it in the final game of his career. LiAngelo was hoping to land a spot in the LA Lakers summer league roster, but he failed to get an invitation.
What's Next For Ball Brothers?
LiAngelo and LaMelo and the rest of the LA Ballers hope to sustain their momentum as they return to action this Saturday against Chicago at the Wintrust Arena. The game is slated to start at 5:30 p.m. Pacific time.
"It's all business. If you're not playing hard, you get sent home. They brought in Gelo while he's been working out at home. This is the JBA, you have to come to play. I love playing with my brother, we have great chemistry. It feels good to play with him again," LaMelo said.
In LiAngelo's league debut last week, he finished with 53 points on 24-of-42 shooting. Both he and LaMelo recorded triple-doubles.
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