2017 NBL Canada Finals Review
London Lightning have become the NBL Canada’s most successful team, winning their third championship four games to two over the Halifax Hurricanes.
It was a finals series worthy of the season and that met all expectations. A display of the league’s very best talents, both teams were on top form and showed excellent offensive capabilities throughout this lively and at times unpredictable series.
In Game 1 the Lightning had an early lead but Halifax responded and started to fight their way back into the game. Despite out-playing London on defence, 30 points from Antoine Mason and a double-double from Billy White, eventually a lack of consistency let them down. Behind six players in double figures, London ran out with the victory.
This initial defeat seemed to galvanise Halifax who, in game 2, rallied behind 27 points and 12 rebounds from CJ Washington to hand London their first defeat in 17 NBLC games. It was a much tighter affair than the first game, and the Hurricanes managed to eek out a one-point victory to tie the series.
Moving to the Scotiabank Centre in Halifax, London spoiled the Hurricanes’ homecoming behind 33 points from Ryan Anderson and all-around performance from Royce White, before he found himself in foul trouble. Halifax showed great teamwork, however their game plan fell apart in the final quarter, where they were out-scored 35-13. London won 105-92, having at one point been down by 10.
Game 4, to begin with, looked like it could have gone either way, but during the second quarter Halifax started to take control. They continued their exemplary team play, but upped their scoring efforts. All of Halifax’s starters finished in double figures – Billy White had a triple-double – while London, conversely, fell apart. Marcus Capers had 22 points off the bench for London in their 94-85 loss.
Returning to southwest Ontario, game 5 started off as a tight affair, but before long London started to run away with it. Antoine Mason was outstanding for Halifax scoring 36 points, 22 of which coming from the field, but London’s frontcourt duo of Kyle Johnson and Royce White combined for 55 points. This, along with three more Lightning players scoring in double digits, they brought themselves to within one game of the title.
London seemed to have found their momentum going into game six. They came out of the blocks fighting and had a ten-point advantage at the end of the first quarter, which they beefed up to 18 by half time. Halifax attempted a fight back, but the Lightning had the game in their grasp. Despite four Halifax players scoring twenty-plus points, a brilliant performance form Royce White – 34 points, 15 rebounds and 9 assists – helped London see out a 129-116 victory, and with it the championship.
London Lightning duly celebrated the perfect end to what has been an outstanding season for them. Throughout the finals they played the same first-rate basketball they have played all season, the Halifax Hurricanes proved tough opponents but London's winning mentality remained and they refused to give in. Their victory also marks the close of what has been the NBL Canada’s biggest and best season to date.
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