The D-Fenders took on the Reno Bighorns at the Lakers practice facility Thursday night and beat them convincingly 127-116
At a regular season Los Angeles D-Fenders game, the teams are serious and want to win. But during a playoff game, there is a unique electricity in the air. Adding to that electricity were the little dancers in attendance who went wild for everything from Ryan Gomes knocking down free throws to the Lakers Girls performing at halftime. Their energy was admirable and infectious throughout the Lakers practice facility.
There was a lot on the line for the players on both teams with extra attention given in the playoff games. It is not uncommon for the stars of D-League Playoffs to get noticed by the NBA resulting in a possible chance at play now or in Summer League.
On Thursday night, the D-Fenders kicked off their playoff run in El Segundo against the Reno Bighorns. On the Bighorns roster was David Stockton, son of former Utah Jazz great and NBA Hall-of-Famer John Stockton. Much like his father was to the Lakers, Stockton became a pain in the side late in the game against the D-Fenders, getting to the basket almost at will and getting fouled in the process.
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After some ugly play that resulted in an altercation and flagrant one call, the D-Fenders ultimately were able to jump out to a big lead in the first half and capture firm control of Game 1 in the early going.
In the second half, LA was pulling away, shooting 45 percent from the field, when Vander Blue hit a beautiful three—complete with a stare down of the opposing coaches. That triple put the D-Fenders up 88-69 with about five minutes left in the third quarter. However, they weren’t out of the woods just yet with Stockton still coming strong.
The game got physical once again and the D-Fenders’ 22-point lead diminished to just 11 with a run by Reno. In a bit of desperation, they played Blue, Harper, and Magette—each with five fouls—with 50 seconds in the game. However, LA was able to to hold on in the end thanks to that late call to maintain what remained of their lead.
Even with Justin Harper struggling shooting the ball (he shot 3-17 from the floor and 1-10 from long range on Thursday), Los Angeles was able to firmly take control in this game and the three-game series. A big part of the D-Fenders’ success was Ryan Gomes, who had notched a double-double by the end of the third quarter with 18 points and 12 rebounds. However it was Blue that led the way with another monsters scoring night for the leader of this team:
"Vander Blue (@veezy_SQ) was FEELING it – dropping a @DFenders playoff record 43 points in a Game 1 win v. Reno!https://t.co/Rf7DUalKQe— NBA D-League (@nbadleague) April 8, 2016"
Lake Show Life contributor Shereen Ryan was on the scene to cover the D-Fenders and talk to the players about their big victory in Game 1:
The D-Fenders play in a very intimate setting, different from most D-League teams that play in mostly empty arenas. As the series now shifts to Reno, Gomes and coach Casey Owen explained what was needed to succeed in a different environment on the road.
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The D-Fenders pulled out a decisive win that gives the just the necessary boost they needed to travel to Reno and beat the Bighorns again. A win would send them to the conference finals. Given that a win seemingly has given this team their mojo back, Lakers fans are hoping that another victory will be coming the D-Fenders’ way.