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Second Half Surge Lifts D-Fenders over Oklahoma City

January 13, 2017 - NBA G League (G League)
Los Angeles D-Fenders News Release


EL SEGUNDO - Los Angeles (18-5) won another last-minute showdown on Thursday, defeating the Oklahoma City Blue (15-9) at the Toyota Sports Center, 104-102. With the win, the D-Fenders have now won five straight games and nine of their last 10.

For the third consecutive game, Los Angeles took the deciding lead with less than one minute to play. This time the game-changing play came from guard Speedy Smith, who hit a driving hook shot with 47.0 seconds left to take a 99-98 lead. From there, defense and efficient free throw shooting spelled victory for the home team.

Justin Harper scored 23 points to lead the D-Fenders, while Vander Blue put together an all-around performance with 21 points, three assists and four steals. Smith enjoyed one of the better nights of his career, totaling 14 points, nine assists and four rebounds, in addition to the game-clinching basket. Jeff Ayres (10 points, 11 rebounds) and Josh Magette (11 points, 10 assists) each notched double-doubles.

Oklahoma City was led by 24 points from Reggie Williams, and Thunder assignee Josh Huestis followed closely behind with 21 points and 11 rebounds. Dakari Johnson's 17 points was the only other double-digit scoring effort from the Blue starters.

The D-Fenders led, 33-25, after the first quarter of play, but Los Angeles scored 14 total points in the second quarter while connecting on just 15.4 percent of their attempts from the field, recording the team's lowest figures for a single quarter this year. Due to the stagnant offense, LA trailed 59-47 at halftime. The Blue rolled to a 17-point lead midway through the third quarter in what would be the biggest lead of the day, but the D-Fenders put together a series of runs to trail 80-71 after the third quarter.

Los Angeles came to life in the fourth frame, and it was powered by the career day from Smith. Harper connected on three consecutive three-pointers in the quarter's first two minutes to pull the team to within four points, with each of those makes coming off assists from Smith. Meanwhile, Speedy notched nine points of his own in the quarter to give the home team the edge. The D-Fenders shot an efficient 64.7 percent in the frame.

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