
D-Fenders Clinch Division Title in Sioux Falls Win
March 19, 2017 - NBA G League (G League)
Los Angeles D-Fenders News Release
SIOUX FALLS, South Dakota - The Los Angeles D-Fenders knocked off the Sioux Falls Skyforce on Saturday at the Sanford Pentagon, 115-111. With the win, L.A. clinched the Pacific Division championship and a berth in the 2017 NBA D-League Playoffs.
Los Angeles (32-13) was led throughout the day by the long distance shooting of Andre Ingram and Troy DeVries, who finished with 28 points and 23 points, respectively. For Ingram, his 7-of-11 mark from three-point range tied a career high. Josh Magette (11 points, 10 assists) and Travis Wear (14 points, 10 rebounds) each recorded double-doubles, while Speedy Smith (13 points, six rebounds, four assists) also put together a well-rounded effort.
Sioux Falls (26-20) had two 20-point scorers in Bubu Palo (22 points, eight rebounds, nine assists) and Keith Benson (21 points, 10 rebounds). The Skyforce had six players that finished in double figures on Saturday.
The first half included six lead changes and three ties, with the D-Fenders taking a 10-point lead in the second quarter. But, fueled by eight points from Jabril Trawick, Sioux Falls ended the second period on an 11-0 run and led at halftime, 62-57.
Los Angeles made a series of runs in the third quarter, eventually piecing together a dominant 36-18 advantage in the period. Ingram and DeVries combined for 23 points and a 5-7 mark from long range as the D-Fenders took a double-digit lead through three frames, 93-80.
Sioux Falls put together one last effort at a comeback in the fourth, pulling to within three points in the game's final minute. However, Los Angeles withstood a 31-22 fourth-quarter scoring deficit to get the win.
L.A. will be back on the court next week against the Texas Legends, with tipoff currently set for 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 22, at the Toyota Sports Center.
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About the Los Angeles D-Fenders: The NBA Development League's Los Angeles D-Fenders return for the team's 10th season of competition in 2016-17. The first franchise in D-League history to be owned by an NBA team, the D-Fenders franchise has established itself as a top producer of NBA-ready talent, totaling 26 NBA Call-Ups and developing 19 Lakers assignment players since the inaugural 2006-07 season. The D-Fenders have claimed two division titles and have twice participated in the NBA D-League Finals. The franchise will become the South Bay Lakers prior to the 2017-18 season.
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