Playoff Kiefer shines in a do-or-die game in Japan, recording a new career-high in the B.League with the Shiga Lakes.
In his first taste of postseason action in Japan, Playoff Kiefer has been for real.
Ravena scored a B.League career-high 30 points Saturday, leading his Shiga Lakes to a crucial 93-79 win over the Aomori Wat’s in round 1 of the 2024 B2 Playoffs.
The victory allowed the Lakes to stay alive, tying the short best-of-three series at one game each with the decisive third game set for Sunday.
In Game 1 Friday, Kiefer scored 21 points and dished out eight assists, but the no. 2 seed Shiga took a disappointing 88-84 loss.
Ravena left nothing for chance in the do-or-die Game 2, scoring 30 points for the first time in his B.League career. His previous high in Japan was 28 points, set in the B1 twice.
Counting his days in the PBA, Kiefer’s 30 points are just one point shy of his career-high as a professional basketball player.
Against the Wat’s, Kiefer scored 10 points right in the opening period to help set the tone for Shiga. Ravena then scored 11 in the fourth to close out the win.
Kiefer also had five rebounds, four assists, and two steals. He shot 5/8 from three in the win.
After being relegated last year, the Lakes entered the B2 Playoffs as the no. 2 seed and Western Conference Champions, finishing the regular season with a 44-16 record.