Second-seeded TSM opens up the newly revamped Mid-Season Showdown against third-seeded Team Liquid.
The long-awaited Spring Playoffs have finally started with the Mid-Season Showdown. TSM hosted Team liquid in the first series of the playoffs. With the current six-team playoffs, we see one of the closest matches on paper with two teams that finished with even records through the regular season.
Also read: LCS Reveals All-Pro Teams for Spring 2021
Game One
To start off the first game,TSM took an early lead against TL, finding First Blood on Alphari. After that, Spica took control of Herald and was able to make plays across top lane and mid. This gave TSM a slim advantage that they took into the mid-game. On the other hand, Team Liquid still seemed to lack some cohesion. Team Liquid was able to pick up the second Infernal Drake before TSM was forced a decisive team fight that led to a Baron take. After the Baron, TSM took the top side towers leading to the inhibitor.
But Team Liquid realized their mistakes in the team fights and started focusing on PowerOfEvil’s Azir. Miraculously, they were able to take the second Baron after a sloppy attempt by TSM, earning them both the Baron and dragon. That was enough to give Team Liquid their footing back. Without looking back, TL took consistent fights and played the map better, which eventually led to a Game One win.
Quick Stats:
- Time: 43:21
- Kills: 15-17
- Turrets: 7-10
- Gold: 74k-77.5k
- Dragons: 3-3
- Barons:1-1
Game Two
Team Liquid completely flipped the script around in Game Two and had an amazing opening 15 minutes, with Santorin running the show on Nidalee. At that 15-minute mark, Team Liquid found themselves with a sizable 3k gold lead. To their credit, TSM was able to find the first two dragons in response, but it was the only thing going for them. With an 8k gold lead, Team Liquid looked completely clear of any issues and became the strong favorites to win the game, as well as the series.
TSM looked to claw their way back by snagging a Baron, but during their attempt, they were quickly cleaned up by Jensen’s Ahri, who ended up securing a Quadra Kill. After that small blip of hope, TSM turned back to their tilted ways and were unable to do much more, resulting in a Game Two win for Team Liquid, in a significantly more convincing game.
Quick Stats:
- Time: 33:21
- Kills: 7-24
- Turrets: 2-10
- Gold: 53.8k - 64.4k
- Dragons: 2-3
- Barons: 1-0
Game Three
With a commanding 2-0 lead, Team Liquid looked to close out the series in Game Three. Team Liquid was able to start off with First blood, first dragon and first herald to put themselves against TSM’s early onslaught. The kills were near even and the action rarely stopped. TSM’s team-fight-centric composition was able to get some early kills, but Jensen had a very impactful game on Sylas to help keep things even. In a fight for soul point, TSM got a couple of crucial kills, resulting in a Baron take. TSM went on a mid lane push and found themselves picks onto Tactical and CoreJJ. After a precarious tower dive, TSM was finally able to shut down Jensen to take Game Three and push this series to at least one more game.
Quick Stats:
- Time: 27:59
- Kills: 16-8
- Turrets: 9-3
- Gold: 52.7k-46.3k
- Dragons: 1-3
- Barons: 1-0
Game Four
With the series on the line, TSM began Game Four with an aggressive, elongated fight at the top lane. Though it resulted in TL getting First Blood, TSM picked up three kills in response. After that, Team Liquid forced an excellent team fight around Rift Herald, bringing the kill count back to even. Shortly after that, CoreJJ had a potential game-defining engagement onto TSM as they push towards the mid lane. The resulting fight led to TL taking their first drake of the game. TSM seemed lost, unable to respond to TL’s split push and uncomfortable with their composition.
At 26 minutes, TL caught out PoE and Huni, resulting in them destroying all three inhibitors and claiming a Baron. Now, Team Liquid looked to end the game with the Baron and double super minions in each lane. But they end up botching a tower dive and it caused the game to be extended. However, Team Liquid is able to pick up a second Baron, and with it, take a slow but conclusive fight in TSM’s base. After a bit of a grind in the base, TL crushed TSM's Nexus and secured the series win.
Quick Stats:
- Time: 35:51
- Kills: 20-14
- Turrets: 11-0
- Gold: 74.3k-60.6k
- Dragons: 2-3
- Barons: 2-0
The post LoL: LCS Mid-Season Showdown Recap - TSM vs Team Liquid appeared first on Esports News Network | ESTNN.