G League Grand Rapids Drive

Grand Rapids Hangs on for Victory over Los Angeles at NBA D-League Showcase

Published on January 10, 2016 under NBA G League (G League)
Grand Rapids Drive News Release


SANTA CRUZ, CA. Jan. 10 , 2016 - The Grand Rapids Drive (10-8) defeated the Los Angeles D-Fenders (9-12) on Sunday, 106-103, at the NBA Development League Showcase in Santa Cruz, CA.

With Los Angeles trailing 104-101 with 6.9 seconds left, a potential game-tying three-pointer from Vander Blue rimmed out and then two Spencer Dinwiddie free throws secured the 106-103 victory for the Drive.

Devin Ebanks paced the Drive offensively with 21 points, 10 rebounds, four assists and four steals, while Blue led the way for the D-Fenders with 24 points (11-of-13 from the foul line) and Los Angeles Lakers assignee' Ryan Kelley added 23 points, seven rebounds and three blocks.

Grand Rapids jumped out to the early lead, 27-23, in the first quarter behind 50 percent (11-of-22) shooting from the field. Eight Drive players scored in the first frame and Devin Ebanks led all scorers with 10 points. Vander Blue led the scoring for the D-Fenders with nine points.

The Drive led by as many as eight, 34-26, three minutes into the second quarter, but the D-Fenders responded with an 11-0 run over the next four minutes to take a brief 35-34 lead before the Drive took a 52-46 advantage into halftime. Ebanks led all scorers with 14 points while Blue, Justin Hawkins and Tarik Black added nine points each for Los Angeles.

The D-Fenders received a boost from Justin Harper off the bench in the third frame, knocking down two of the team's five third quarter three-pointers. The Los Angeles defense held Grand Rapids to 32.1 percent (9-of-28) and trimmed the Drive's lead to two, 77-75 heading into the fourth quarter.

A Harper layup with 1:33 remaining in regulation tied the game, 100-100, but a Ryan Boatwright jump shot and four Dinwiddie free throws gave the Charge the 106-103 victory.

Grand Rapids returns home to face the Canton Charge (8-11) on Wednesday, Jan. 13 at 7 p.m. ET and Los Angeles also heads home for a three-game home stand starting against the Reno Bighorns (11-8) on Thursday, Jan. 14 at 10:30 p.m. ET.

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