D-Fenders split road trip

January 23, 2007 - NBA G League (G League)
Los Angeles D-Fenders News Release


Rewind:

Monday, Los Angeles (111) @ Fort Worth (103) - Sioux Falls Showcase

Six players scored in double figures to propel the Los Angeles D-Fenders over the Forth Worth Flyers, 111-103, in the second game of the 2007 NBA Development League MLK Showcase Monday at the Sioux Falls Arena. Guard Brian Chase led the D-Fenders in scoring with 20 points as Los Angeles (10-9) snapped a four-game losing streak. Forward Sean Banks chipped in 18 points and guard Jackie Manual added 16 as the D-Fenders snapped a modest four-game win streak for Fort Worth (12-4).

Tuesday, Colorado (103) @ Los Angeles (85) - Sioux Falls Showcase

Four Colorado starters scored in double figures as the 14ers overpowered the Los Angeles D-Fenders, 103-85, Tuesday at the Sioux Falls Arena as part of the 2007 NBA Development League MLK Showcase. There were 14 lead changes in a tight first half until Colorado took over in the third. The 14ers started the quarter with a 22-7 run and ended up outrebounding the D-Fenders 52-36. Sean Banks led Los Angeles scorers with 19 points and Brian Chase added 18. Kevin Johnson scored 17. Andre Patterson led all rebounders in the game with 12.

Friday, Los Angeles (81) @ Albuquerque (91) - Tingley Coliseum

The Albuquerque Thunderbirds defended their home court Friday night by defeating the Los Angeles D-Fenders 91 to 81. Brian Chase of the D-Fenders led all scorers with 23 points on 12 of 25 shooting and his teammate, Sean Banks, had 19 points in the loss. Albuquerque also grabbed 16 boards in the first quarter compared to L.A.'s 9, helping the T-Birds to a 16 - 12 lead after one. It was Albuquerque's defense though that was the story in the first half holding L.A. to a dismal 9 of 34 shooting from the floor, and at the end of the half the T-Birds had stretched their lead to 15 (39-24). L.A. chipped away at the T-Birds lead in the third quarter attempting 19 shots and nearly doubling their point output from the first half. Sean Banks put in 7 of the D-Fenders 23 points in the quarter helping close the gap to 9 after three quarters (56-47).

Saturday, Los Angeles (112) @ Albuquerque (104) - Tingley Coliseum

The Los Angeles D-Fenders defeated the Albuquerque Thunderbirds 112-104 Saturday night to even their record at 11-11 on the season. The D-Fenders had 5 players in double digits including Andre Emmet and T.J. Cummings who had a combined 48 points off the bench. Andre Patterson added a double-double recording a game high 10 rebounds and 17 points. Tony Bland had 9 points in the first quarter for Albuquerque while Patterson matched him with 9 for the

D-Fenders. Both teams shot over 50% from the floor in the opening quarter which ended in a 27-23 Thunderbirds lead. Former Thunderbird T.J. Cummings scored 9 of his 15 first half points in the second quarter as the D-Fenders opened up a 10 point halftime lead (53-43). The D-Fenders were aided by tremendous shooting in the second quarter hitting on 14 of their 19 shots. Sean Banks had 10 points for the D-Fenders in the third quarter on 3 of 6 shooting from the floor, helping L.A. stretch their first half lead to 13 after three quarters (82-69).

Monday, Los Angeles (100) @ Albuquerque (88) - STAPLES Center

The Los Angeles D-Fenders of the NBA Development League defeated the Albuquerque Thunderbirds for the second consecutive time in three days with this afternoon's 100-88 victory at STAPLES Center. The D-Fenders came out of halftime with energy and defensive tenacity, opening the half with a 6-0 run. Los Angeles outscored Albuquerque 29-14 in the third quarter with forward Andre Patterson leading the way. Patterson scored 16 points in the quarter going 8-9 from the floor. He finished the game with 24 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 steals. Frontcourt mate Sean Banks dropped 8 points and dished out 2 assists in the quarter. Banks ended the contest with 24 points, 2 blocks, and 2 steals. Los Angeles led by 20 points heading into the final quarter. The D-Fenders outrebounded the Thunderbirds 48-44, and only had 13 turnovers to Albuquerque's 20.

Showcasing His Skills

Guard Brian Chase was named to the All-Showcase team, as well as named "Best Point Guard" by the D-League for his outstanding play during the Development League Showcase in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Chase averaged 19.5 points and 5.5 assists during the showcase and shot 50% from the field, including going 5-8 from beyond the arc.

In The Standings

At 12-11 on the season, the D-Fenders sit at .522 in the standings, holding steady at third place in the Western Conference. The Idaho Stampede has jumped into first place in the division at .696, four games ahead of the D-Fenders. The Colorado 14ers slipped to second place at .682, three and a half games ahead of the D-Fenders.

In The Community

FSN WEST, the Lakers Youth Foundation and Time Warner Cable have partnered to create CourtStars, a series of youth basketball clinics at eight Los Angeles City Department of Recreation and Parks Recreation Center locations that recently received new outdoor basketball courts courtesy of FSN WEST and FSN PRIME TICKET. D-Fenders Forward Kevin Johnson and Guard Chet Mason were on hand for the Highland Park Recreation Center clinic on January 11, 2007. Forward Aloysius Anagonye and Guard Jason McKrieth represented the D-Fenders at Chatsworth Recreational Center clinic on January 13, 2007.

Coming Up

The D-Fenders hit the hardwood at STAPLES Center this weekend, on Friday against the Colorado 14ers with a 3:30pm tip off before the Lakers game. On Sunday, the D-Fenders host the Bakersfield Jam after the Lakers game at STAPLES Center with a 4:00pm tip off and a special pre-game presentation of our Heroes Among Us award for January to Jesse Billauer of Life Rolls On (LRO), a non-profit 501(c)3 Foundation.

Having a Lakers ticket for a STAPLES Center home game is also your ticket to a lower level seat for the D-Fenders. Lakers season ticket holders who attend a D-Fenders home game will receive a special gift, while supplies last, by visiting the Season Ticket Holder Booth on the main concourse at the Figueroa Street Entrance.

On July 31, 2006 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.

Last Week:

Mon 1/15 D-FENDERS 111 @ Fort Worth 103 (D-League Showcase - Sioux Falls, SD)

Tue 1/16 D-FENDERS 85 vs. Colorado 103 (D-League Showcase - Sioux Falls, SD)

Fri 1/19 D-FENDERS 81 @ Albuquerque 91

Sat 1/20 D-FENDERS 112 @ Albuquerque 104

This Week:

Mon 1/22 D-FENDERS 100 vs. Albuquerque 88

Fri 1/26 D-FENDERS vs. Colorado 14ers, 3:30pm, STAPLES Center

Sun 1/28 D-FENDERS vs. Bakersfield Jam, 4:00pm, STAPLES Center



NBA G League Stories from January 23, 2007


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