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D-Fenders Lay New Asphalt Over 66ers

December 8, 2006 - NBA G League (G League)
Los Angeles D-Fenders News Release


LOS ANGELES, Calif.- The Los Angles D-Fenders of the NBA Development League ended with a dominant second half in tonight's duel with the Tulsa 66ers at STAPLES Center for a 90-77 victory.

The D-Fenders got off to a slow start in the first half and the 66ers took advantage. Led by Cheyne Gadson's 13 points, Tulsa got off to a quick start to go into halftime with a 7 point lead.

Los Angeles came out of halftime on fire. The D-Fenders stepped up their defensive intensity and began to push the tempo in the second half.

Big men Aloysius Anagonye and Akin Akingbala led a third quarter comeback on the defensive side of the floor and with solid play in the paint for Los Angeles. Akingbala commanded the lane with an aggressive block and finished the period with a quarter-high 7 points.

The D-Fenders guards followed suit with Devin Green leading the final quarter surge with a couple of 3-point shots and key defensive plays. Green took a charge and then swatted a shot into the stands to give Los Angeles the momentum back. Los Angeles outscored the 66ers 31-18 in the quarter.

"We started pretty sluggish, but we picked up our energy. Coach keeps preaching to us that we're made for defense. When we decide to come out there and play some defense, we can really come out there and cause some havoc," said Green.

Green finished the match with a game-high 25 points to go along with his 7 assists and 6 rebounds.

D-Fenders guard Chet Mason was all over the glass in the final period. His fourth quarter hustle in the paint provided Los Angeles with numerous offensive rebounds and put back baskets. Mason had 8 points in the quarter to give him 11 for the game.

"We really turned it up defensively in the fourth quarter. I thought it was a great effort on our part. I credit our guys with a great second half," said D-Fenders Head Coach Dan Panaggio.

The 66ers fell apart midway through the second half, although Gadson finished the contest with 19 points and Tulsa forward Mike Hall contributed with 18 points. Jean Felix added 7 off the bench.

"I don't want to make any excuses. We will come back together and play as a team," said Felix.

This weekend the D-Fenders host the Colorado 14ers on Sunday, December 10, before the Lakers game, on the hardwood at STAPLES Center with a 2:30pm tip off. This will be Colorado's first visit to Los Angeles and the second meeting for the two Western Conference teams.

On July 31st of this year the Los Angeles Lakers announced that they had become the first NBA franchise in history to own an NBA Development League team. The Los Angeles D-Fenders play their home games at STAPLES Center pre and post Lakers home games. The Lakers devoted fans were given the opportunity to name the NBA D-League team in an online naming contest.



NBA G League Stories from December 8, 2006


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.

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