RESULTS: TSM Set Up Third Place Tie-breaker After Defeating Clutch Gaming

TSM and Clutch Gaming were competing for a spot in the third place tie-breaker round here today, after a day full of exciting matches. Here’s a brief breakdown of the match.

The match started with a bloody bot lane fight that saw TSM claim first blood, but Clutch Gaming return the favour. TSM made advances into the jungle of Clutch, pushing them away from the objectives and establishing early pressure in the mid lane. Clutch attempt a gank onto the mid lane, but failed to secure a kill as both teams jockey for control over the mid lane. When TSM make their play at a mid lane gank, they find much more success as the claim a kill place more vision over the Dragon pit and Rift Herald.

TSM attempt another gank onto the mid lane, but Clutch Gaming are ready this time, with reinforcements waiting in the wings. In the ensuing team fight, Clutch Gaming find two kills while TSM are forced to retreat with nothing. With the vision established across the map, TSM take down the Rift Herald while Clutch Gaming secure the Dragon.

Clutch Gaming elect to pressure the bot lane, sending four members to shove the lane and attack TSM. As TSM attempt to withdraw, Clutch land a crucial kill before pulling back. In reply, TSM use the Rift Herald to take down the mid lane turret before returning to pressure the bot lane. As the Dragon prepares to respawn, TSM group up and catch out Clutch Gaming in the river, claiming a kill and securing the Dragon.

With TSM putting pressure on the top lane, Clutch dive into the mid, claiming a kill before TSM can move to assist. When TSM does arrive, they manage to force Clutch away from the turret after claiming a kill of their own. Both teams skirmish over vision control in the Baron pit, but are both able to withdraw relatively unscathed.

Both teams continue their struggle for vision control over the Baron area, before TSM engage and claim three quick kills before moving to secure the Baron. With the added power, TSM push in multiple lanes at once, forcing Clutch Gaming into a purely defensive posture. After eliminating all of the outer turrets, TSM pull back to spend their gold lead and secure the next Dragon.

As the teams clash in the jungle, TSM pick up another kill before moving to pressure the side lanes. With the pressure building across the map, Clutch Gaming attempt to rush the Baron, but TSM find the steal on the objective, taking the Baron and claiming three more kills. With very little standing in their way, TSM destroy the nexus to set up another tie-breaker for third place.

For more NA LCS action, check out how Team Liquid defeated Cloud9 to set up the third place tie-breaker, and for more information on how the teams are sitting on the ladder right now, check out the Official Standings page, here.