G League Grand Rapids Drive

Drive Close Season with Road Win over Sevens

Published on April 4, 2015 under NBA G League (G League)
Grand Rapids Drive News Release


NEWARK - Apr. 4 - The Grand Rapids Drive (23-27) ended their season on a positive note Saturday night, defeating to the Delaware 87ers (20-30) on the road by a score of 124-117.

Both teams have been eliminated from playoff contention for several games, but that didn't stop them from playing an exciting game Saturday.

The Drive opened the game on a 21-7 run, hitting eight of their first 12 attempts from the field and three of their first four three-pointers.

The Sevens responded quite well, however, going on a 13-1 run and closing the lead to just four at the end of the first quarter.

Delaware took its first lead of the game nearing the end of the second quarter and again went on a run before the end of a quarter, closing the second on a 9-2 run to head into halftime up 67-61.

Continuing the trend of shifting momentum, however, the Drive grabbed the lead right back with a strong third quarter. They locked down defensively, allowing only 20 points in the quarter and scoring 31, to take a 92-87 lead heading into the final.

But Delaware still wasn't done, coming flying out of the gates and taking the lead again three minutes in the fourth. Neither team got much separation from there on out, as the leads ranged from one point, to three points, to tied, and back again. Most of the game's eight lead changes and 11 ties came during this closely-contested period.

Back-to-back buckets by Adonis Thomas and Kelsey Barlow put the Drive up 111-106 with four minutes to go in the game, a lead that they were finally able to hang onto.

Manny Atkins had a great game shooting the ball for the visiting Drive, already racking up 13 points on 5-of-5 shooting by the end of the first quarter. He finished with 30 points, going 12-of-17 from the field.

Hasheem Thabeet fought off some foul trouble to record 24 points and 13 rebounds, Thomas scored 25 points, and Nate Wolters had 21 points and 13 assists.

Drew Gordon had a monster game on the glass for the Sevens, already recording a double-double by halftime with 11 points and 14 rebounds. He finished with 16 points and 21 rebounds.

Jordan McRae led Delaware with 29 points and six assists and Victor Rudd added 27.

Check out the Grand Rapids Drive Statistics



NBA G League Stories from April 4, 2015


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.

OurSports Central