D-Fenders Fall to Texas in Tale of Two Halves
March 23, 2017 - NBA G League (G League)
Los Angeles D-Fenders News Release
EL SEGUNDO - The Los Angeles D-Fenders were defeated by the Texas Legends on Wednesday at the Toyota Sports Center, 132-128. The loss snaps a three-game win streak for L.A.
Despite the setback, the D-Fenders (32-14) put on a potent offensive display as eight players finished in double figures. Justin Harper led that group, scoring 24 points off of a career-high six three-pointers. Guards Vander Blue and Troy DeVries each scored 19 points, while Josh Magette finished with 16 points and 15 assists. Deshawn Stephens notched 12 points and a team-high-tying seven rebounds in his first career start.
Texas (24-22) was guided by a starting lineup that combined for 98 points. The Legends were guided by 33 points and eight rebounds from Jameel Warney. Former D-Fenders forward Stephane Lasme recorded 23 points and 11 rebounds, and top-rated prospect Pierre Jackson also notched a double-double with 13 points and 10 assists. Six visiting players finished with more than 10 points.
The home team put together a stellar effort in the first half, going up by 18 points behind a 54.2 percent mark from the field. Ball movement spurred L.A.'s lead, as the D-Fenders assisted on 22 of the team's 26 first-half baskets. Perhaps more impressive was the team's 12-of-17 (.706) mark from three-point range in the first two periods before Los Angeles led at halftime, 76-61.
But the good fortune turned to despair in the second half. Behind an 11-0 run for the Legends in the fourth quarter, Texas took their first lead of the game with less than eight minutes remaining. From there, the back-and-forth final frame included six lead changes and seven ties. The contest was virtually sealed in the closing seconds, when Lasme connected on a corner three-point attempt with 5.9 seconds left to put the visitors up by five points.
Overall, the D-Fenders shot an efficient 54.8 percent from the field and 58.1 percent from long range. More costly, the home team converted on just 66.7 percent of their free throws. L.A. totaled 19 turnovers, including 12 that came in the second half, but managed to tally a season-high 37 assists.
Los Angeles - will be back on the court versus the Santa Cruz Warriors at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 25, at the Toyota Sports Center.
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