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G League Birmingham Squadron

Tough Defense Lifts Birmingham Past Oklahoma City

January 27, 2022 - NBA G League (G League)
Birmingham Squadron News Release


BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Birmingham Squadron (3-5), NBA G League affiliate of the New Orleans Pelicans, defeated the Oklahoma City Blue (5-5) 100-97, to take in the second half of a two-game home series between the two clubs.

Defense proved to be the key to success for Birmingham, as the Squadron held the Oklahoma City Blue - a team that averaged 114.2 coming into the game - to just 97 points, only their second game this season scoring below 100 points.

The Squadron held a small lead for the majority of the game, but the Blue fought back in the fourth quarter, finally taking the lead with 7:00 to go in the game. Back-to-back buckets from Squadron guard Joe Young, forward Zylan Cheatham and guard Jared Harper in the final two minutes extended the lead before Harper sealed the home victory with a defensive stop on the last possession of the game.

The Squadron spread the wealth offensively as six players scored in double digits including Harper (19), center Zach Hankins (16), Young (16), Cheatham (15), guard Ra'Shad James (12) and center James Banks III (12). Along with his team-leading 19 points Harper added five rebounds, six assists, two steals and one block.

In his first game back with the Squadron after two 10-day contracts in the NBA with the Miami Heat and the Utah Jazz, Cheatham notched a double-double with 15 points and a team-high 12 rebounds, picking up where he left off during Showcase this season, where he posted five double-doubles in 14 games for the Squadron.

For the Blue, guard Theo Maledon led the team with 29 points (.650) and added five rebounds, eight assists and two steals.

The Squadron now hit the road and head to Edinburg, Texas where they will face the Rio Grande Valley Vipers (5-3) on Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. CT.

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