Toros on Four-Game Win Streak – Host Red Claws

It's been an up-and-down year for our Austin Toros. After the first 22 games, the team looked unbeatable with the best record in the league at 18-4. The next 17 games showed fans a completely opposite Toros' output, and the consequence was losing. After the record-breaking hot start they went 5-12. All seemed lost.

But just like all things Toros in 2012, the roller coaster keeps on moving, and right now it's going up. After the miserable stretch of losing 12 of 17 games, the Toros are back on winning roads, with a streak of four straight victories currently on the track. And they haven't just been your run-of-the-mill wins, either. No, the Toros have demolished opponents in their last four (Rio Grande Valley, Maine twice, and Iowa), winning by an average of 14.25 points per game.

On Wednesday evening at the Cedar Park Center, the Toros effort mirrored their season, as they were all over the place in the exciting win. The Iowa Energy, a formidable foe from which Austin was dealt the January 27 1-point loss, started off hot, and after 13- and 10-point runs in the first quarter, Austin was down 14, and the stinky Toros seemed to be back in the building. But just as it emerged, the stink vanished, and the smart, winning-time Toros started to play the beautiful game in the second quarter. The comeback didn't take long, as Austin tied the game at 42 on a Lester Hudson three-point basket. After a back-and-forth third, Austin put it away in the fourth and won with relevant ease, 113-103. Star player Justin Dentmon struggled in the game, shooting 4-12 for only 13 points, but local favorite Cory Joseph has recently been sent down to the Toros from the San Antonio Spurs, and his play was the difference. His 25 points and 6 assists were vintage C.J.

With the Spurs somewhat thin at the reserve point guard position, it's unclear how long Joseph's stint with Austin will last. He'll be there this weekend as the Toros play back-to-back home games against the Maine Red Claws. He'll again play big minutes, helping the Toros climb back to the top, where a high seeding would be ideal for a long run in the playoffs.

With seven games left on the regular season schedule, Austin needs to take care of business. They currently hold the second-best record in the D-League, but Bakersfield and Canton are hot on their heels. The Toros are safely in the playoff picture, but we still need to win games now. The single-elimination games of the early playoff rounds mustn't be faced without confidence and pride, and it's awfully tough to have enough when you're riding a losing streak.

With this year's Toros, though, you just never know what's going to happen next. Sometimes it's almost too exciting. We'll find out more tonight and tomorrow night, both games at 7:30, just up the road at the Cedar Park Center, as the Toros host the Maine Red Claws. Maine is 5-5 in their last 10 games and 18-26 overall. If Austin wants to show us that they're ready to win a championship, they'll do well to sweep the two games against the inferior lobster team. See you at the arena! It's Bring Your Friends Night, so bring 'em along!

Vs. Maine: Fri., March 23, 7:30pm; Sat., March 24, 7:30pm. Cedar Park Center, 2100 Avenue of the Stars, Cedar Park, 512/600-5000. $8-99 plus fees.