Heading in to their match-up against Clutch Gaming, 100 Thieves has a lot on the line. From the fear of going 0-4 at the beginning of the split to keeping their regular split streak alive against Clutch Gaming. To appease fans and bring hope back, 100 Thieves had to win. If Clutch Gaming came out victorious against the Thieves, another mental boom could be on the horizon.
100 Thieves started their draft phase swinging. Locking in the Sona-Taric bot lane, both Bae “Bang” Jun-sik and Zaqueri “aphromoo” Black are looking to go big or go home. Their overall team composition lacked much of a front line outside of Jarvan IV. Due to that, later in the game, picks on the side of Clutch Gaming with the Skarner pick could outright determine the victor. With an over abundance of ability power on the side of their team, 100 Thieves needed to force an early lead or risk losing late.
Much to the dismay of fans, 100 Thieves seemed to fall in to the same traps they always have. Around the five minute mark, 100 Thieves had eyes on a lane gank from Nam “Lira” Tae-yoo on Skarner. Despite that, the Thieves found themselves on the losing end of what should have been a winning fight. First blood went over to Heo “Huni” Seung-hoon on the top lane Rumble.
https://twitter.com/100TBlade/status/1137816634599587840
Not long after, a bot lane dive led to a gifted kill on to the mid lane Lux and a 3k gold lead. Communicating as a team, Clutch Gaming took an early lead and squashed the general fear of the Sona-Taric synergy. Clutch took advantage of their lead and continued to find objectives across the map. Tower plating, winning team fights and picking up Rift Herald.
15 minutes in, Clutch Gaming held strongly on to a 6k gold lead and an entirely lopsided top lane match-up. With a lucky pick mid lane on Tanner “Damonte” Damonte, the Thieves took to the bot lane to try their hand at a full on team fight. As per the usual, it was lost almost immediately. Another pick top side on Max “Soligo” Soong gifted away a free Baron and the beginning of the end.
https://twitter.com/100TBlade/status/1137819524806430720
After losing two inhibitors and sitting at a deficit of 8k gold, 100 Thieves could only hope for the game to go late. With a team comp that’s overly squishy and ability power heavy, only a late game engage at this point could save the entire match for the Thieves. Staving off an engage on the top inhibitor, 100 Thieves found a pick on Huni. Soon after, Soligo was once again picked off and yet another Baron was gifted over.
https://twitter.com/100TBlade/status/1137822255088640000
Fight after fight, defense after defense, 100 Thieves were staving off their fourth loss this Summer. 35 minutes in the Thieves simply would not break. They bent, over and over, but would not give up the game. Finally however, their valiant defense faltered and at 36:51, Clutch Gaming won.
100 Thieves showed a sense of urgency in their game against Clutch. Despite their loss, it was a hard fought chance at proving they as a team have grown. The Thieves begin their Summer with a 0-4 record and must take a hard look in the mirror. Though the match against Clutch Gaming showed an improvement on team synergy, it simply wasn’t enough. If the Thieves are aiming to make changes, fans won’t see them until Week 4 at the earliest it seems. Nevertheless, a look in the mirror could create even more change to come for the aching team.
Featured Image Courtesy Of 100ThievesLive Twitter
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