
D-Fenders Win Fourth Straight on Blue's Big Night
December 22, 2016 - NBA G League (G League)
Los Angeles D-Fenders News Release
GREENSBORO, N.C. - The Los Angeles D-Fenders defeated the Greensboro Swarm on Thursday at the Fieldhouse at the Greensboro Coliseum Complex, 99-92.
Veteran Vander Blue contributed his best night of the season in the win, tallying his first double-double of 2016 with a season-high 33 points and 12 rebounds. The performance was Blue's third 30+ point game in the last four contests. Travis Wear totaled 17 points and six rebounds, while Josh Magette notched 16 points, seven rebounds and seven assists in an all-around effort.
Greensboro (5-12) was paced by 22 points and eight rebounds from Christian Wood while Aaron Harrison recorded 21 points and eight boards.
Los Angeles (13-4) got out to a slow start early on and trailed 8-0 before registering a basket. Blue would score nine points in the frame, but no other D-Fenders starter registered a point. The Swarm won the period 27-17, limiting the visiting team to its worst point total for any quarter this season.
The D-Fenders kept Greensboro scoreless for the first two minutes of the second frame, going on a 5-0 run that helped cut the double-digit deficit. However, the Swarm put together a 6-0 run of their own and would once again lead by double digits for the majority of the period. A layup by Blue with 16.3 second remaining made it a 47-39 Greensboro lead in what would be the halftime score. Wear led all Los Angeles scorers with five points.
After a back-and-forth start to the third, Los Angeles got the run it had been searching for. Powered by 11 points from Blue in the quarter, the D-Fenders would go on a 12-0 run to tie the game at 56 with 5:05 remaining. In a period that included four lead changes, the visitors owned a 29-22 advantage in the quarter and would trail, 69-68, heading into the fourth.
The fourth quarter included three lead changes and nine ties as both sides battled for control. The contest was ultimately decided in the final 1:42 when, tied at 92, Los Angeles went on 7-0 run to end the game. Blue would score five of his nine fourth-quarter points during that span.
Los Angeles will be back in action after the holidays in a matchup with the Sioux Falls Skyforce. Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 28, at the Toyota Sports Center.
• Discuss this story on the NBA G League message board...
NBA G League Stories from December 22, 2016
- Tip at the Buzzer Gives Westchester Knicks Thrilling Win over Raptors - Westchester Knicks
- D-Fenders Win Fourth Straight on Blue's Big Night - Los Angeles D-Fenders
- Big Second Half Lifts Nets over Drive - Grand Rapids Drive
- Westchester Knicks Activate Courtney Fells, Waive Robert Vaden - Westchester Knicks
- BayHawks Acquire Kalin Lucas in New Trade - Erie BayHawks
- Energy Acquire Jordan Sibert and 2017 Third-Round Selection from Erie - Iowa Wolves
- San Antonio Recalls Bryn Forbes and Dejounte Murray from Austin - Austin Spurs
- Celtics Recall Demetrius Jackson - Maine Celtics
- Bighorns Win Overtime Thriller against Austin - Reno Bighorns
- Warriors Fall to Skyforce - Santa Cruz Warriors
- Skyforce Pull Away in Fourth to Remain Perfect at Home - Sioux Falls Skyforce
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

