D-Fenders Drop First Game of Season in Loss to Vipers
November 18, 2016 - NBA G League (G League)
Los Angeles D-Fenders News Release
EL SEGUNDO - In a battle of two unbeaten teams, the Los Angeles D-Fenders came up short on Thursday, falling to the Rio Grande Valley Vipers at the Toyota Sports Center, 133-120.
Los Angeles (2-1) was led by a pair of 20-point performers in forward Roscoe Smith (21) and guard Vander Blue (20). Justin Harper (17 pts, 6 reb, 3 ast) and Josh Magette (16 pts, 13 ast, 5 reb) also paced the team in multiple categories, while center Ivica Zubac - assigned to the D-Fenders by the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday - finished the game with 13 points, three rebounds and two blocks before fouling out of the contest. In total, seven D-Fenders scored in double figures.
Rio Grande Valley (3-0) entered the game as the league's second-highest scoring team, and the Vipers again showed the firepower that has made them one of the D-League's most potent offenses. Guard Isaiah Taylor was the star of the night for RGV, as he finished with a game-high 31 points and five assists, and forward Kyle Wiltjer added 26 points. Overall, the Vipers starting lineup outscored that of the D-Fenders, 93-72.
The D-Fenders got out to a quick start in the contest, starting the game on a 16-6 run behind a pair of baskets from Zubac and Harper. But the 10-point advantage would be the best of the night for Los Angeles as RGV's depth started to take hold. Down 31-30 after one quarter, the Vipers never slowed their pace before leading by as much as 17 in the fourth frame.
The Vipers owned a dominant 64-36 advantage in rebounding, including 23 offensive rebounds that gave Rio Grande Valley extra shots at the basket. On the day, Los Angeles shot 42.4 percent (42-of-99), compared to 50.0 percent (48-of-46) from RGV.
Los Angeles will be back in action when the Santa Cruz Warriors visit the Toyota Sports Center at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday.
• Discuss this story on the NBA G League message board...
NBA G League Stories from November 18, 2016
- White, Weber Dominate to Help Skyforce Outlast 87ers - Sioux Falls Skyforce
- Crawford Leads Drive to Double-OT Win over Charge - Grand Rapids Drive
- Red Claws Roll to Victory in Home Opener - Maine Celtics
- Westchester Knicks Acquire Douby, Waive Kromah - Westchester Knicks
- Westchester Knicks Introduce New Mascot: Hudson Knickerbocker - Westchester Knicks
- Kings Recall Georgios Papagiannis from Reno Bighorns - Reno Bighorns
- Lakers Recall Ivica Zubac from D-Fenders - Los Angeles D-Fenders
- D-Fenders Drop First Game of Season in Loss to Vipers - Los Angeles D-Fenders
- Bighorns Come up Short in Austin - Reno Bighorns
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
Other Recent Los Angeles D-Fenders Stories
- MVP Vander Blue Leads 2016-17 All-NBA Development League First Team
- Vander Blue Named NBA Development League MVP
- D-Fenders Comeback Falls Short in Year-Ending Loss to Vipers
- Los Angeles Lakers Recall Nwaba from D-Fenders
- D-Fenders Dodge Vipers Comeback, Stay Alive in Title Hunt
