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G League Grand Rapids Drive

Willis' 25 Points Boost Drive over 905

December 10, 2017 - NBA G League (G League)
Grand Rapids Drive News Release


GRAND RAPIDS - Derek Willis scored 25 points for the second consecutive game and the Grand Rapids Drive (7-9) held Raptors 905 (4-9) to just 11 points in the second quarter on their way to a 101-87 victory at home on Friday night in front of a crowd of 2,916. The Drive were in control the vast majority of the game, building a 26-point lead and winning by 14 points despite the 905 outscoring them by nine points in the fourth quarter.

In addition to Willis' 25, Kenneth Smith stepped up in leading scorer Dwight Buycks' absence for the Drive, scoring 13 points on a perfect 6-of-6 from the field in addition to 15 assists, one short of his career high set earlier in the year. Bronson Koenig added 17 points for Grand Rapids, hitting five three-pointers, and Landry Nnoko also had a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds.

Bruno Caboclo led five 905 players in double figures with 17 points, Aaron Best and Kaza Keane scored 16 points each, and Shevon Thompson had a game-high 13 rebounds to go with 11 points.

The Drive led 57-35 at halftime, coming out energized in their first game with Ryan Krueger as full-time head coach. They shot over 50 percent from three-point range, going 14-of-27 to easily set new season highs in both percentage and total makes. The 905 managed 38 percent shooting to 48 percent for the Drive, making it tough for them to gain an advantage even without the three-point disparity.

One place the 905 did manage to gain on the Drive was their free throw rate, as they more than doubled the Drive's attempts, allowing the Drive to shoot just 10 free throws. It was their second consecutive game shooting under 15 foul shots, but this time their overall efficiency allowed them to secure the win anyway.

The Drive travel to Canton for their next game, which is not until Wednesday night. The 905 will look to get back in the win column against the Texas Legends also on Wednesday night for their next tilt.

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