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Florida Flame Update

January 17, 2006 - NBA G League (G League)
Florida Flame News Release


The Flame return home tomorrow night, Wednesday, January 18 and Thursday, January 19 for a brief two-game homestand against the Tulsa 66ers. Tip-off time for both games is 7 p.m. at Germain Arena.

After enduring a season-high four-game losing skid from Dec. 31 through Jan. 8, the Flame have won their last four games to regain first place in the D-League standings. Florida (13-7) enters this week's games with Tulsa (10-11) with a one-and-a-half game lead over both Austin (10-7) and Albuquerque (11-8) for the top spot. For tickets, visit the Germain Arena box office or call Ticketmaster at 1-800-4-NBA-TIX.

FLAME NOTES:

Offense Awakens: After struggling offensively through the first 14 games of the season, the Flame have discovered a scoring punch. Florida is averaging 108.5 points per game and is shooting 50.4% from the floor (245-486) over the last six games. Florida's 117 points in a January 12 victory over Roanoke was a season-high for the Flame, surpassing the total of 113 points scored by Florida against the Dazzle on December 3, 2005. The Flame currently rank 3rd in the D-League in scoring avg. (100.8) and 6th in field goal percentage (45.6%).

Smith Surging: Florida forward Theron Smith impressed many at this past weekend's MLK Showcase in Fayetteville, N.C. The 6-8, veteran averaged 24 points and 6.5 rebounds while shooting 59.3% from the floor in the Flame's victories over Fayetteville and Arkansas. Smith matched a season-high with 29 points and nine rebounds in the Flame's 109-86 win over Fayetteville on Sunday night, then tallied 19 points and four rebounds in Florida's 107-94 victory over Arkansas on Monday afternoon. Over his past four games, the Auburndale, Fla. native who spent the past two seasons in the NBA is averaging 21.8 points and 8.0 rebounds per game while shooting 52.7% from the field (29-55).

Barron Bringin' It: Flame forward/center Earl Barron who was assigned to Florida on Jan. 3 by the Miami HEAT, is averaging 19.2 points and 10.0 rebounds while shooting 55% FG (40-73) in his last five games. The 7-0, 245 veteran from the University of Memphis has tallied double-doubles in his last three games, averaging 23.3 points and 12.3 rebounds per game while shooting 55% FG (27-49) during that span. Barron notched his 3rd double-double with 22 points and 11 rebounds vs. Arkansas at the MLK Showcase on Jan. 16. Barron earned his second double-double with a season-high 25 points & 13 rebounds vs. Fayetteville at the MLK Showcase on Jan. 15 and posted first double-double with a season-high 23 points & 13 rebounds vs. Roanoke on Jan. 13.

Defensive Rankings: The Flame currently rank #1 in the D-League in field goal percentage defense (43.7%), blocked shots average (5.5) and rebounding (47.4). Florida also ranks #2 in three-point field goal percentage (32.3%) and #4 in scoring defense (96.7 ppg).

Seeing Double: Through the first 20 games of the 2005-06 D-League season, Florida forward/center Hiram Fuller is on pace to surpass his mark of 19 double-doubles during the 2004-05 campaign. Fuller has posted a total of eight double-doubles so far this season and currently ranks number two overall behind Arkansas' Pape Sow, who has tallied a league-best 12 double-doubles. Last season, Fuller finished second in the D-League in double-doubles behind Roanoke's James Thomas, who notched 22 overall.

Andre The Giant: Flame point guard Andre Barrett has continued to post strong numbers over the last five weeks of the 2005-06 season, averaging 16.0 pts and 7.3 assists while shooting 52% FG (92-176) in Florida's last 15 games. The 5-11, point guard who was the #1 overall pick in the 2005 D-League Draft ranks #3 in the D-League in assists avg. (6.8) and #2 in total assists (135). Barrett also is 2nd on the club and is 10th in the D-League in scoring avg. (15.9) and has scored in double figures in 15 straight games. On January 8, Barrett posted his fourth double-double with 16 points and a team-record tying 15 assists versus Austin. Barrett also poured in a season-high 26 pts on 9-15 shooting w/ eight assists at Fayetteville on December 22, and also posted a game and team-high 24 points at Fayetteville on December 31.

Turnaround: At 13-7 overall, the Flame have already exceeded their win total through the first 40 games of last season. Florida did not win its 13th game of the 2004-05 D-League campaign until March 22, 2005, when the Flame defeated Huntsville, 87-82.

Winning and Losing By the Percentages: Because of their solid defense, the Florida is 13-1 when outshooting its opponent, but 0-5 when being outshot by its opponent.

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