Lakers: D-Fenders Win Big in Game 1 of West Finals

Lakers fans rejoice, the D-Fenders won Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals in the D-Leage Playoffs

While the Los Angeles Lakers are sitting at home waiting on the 2016 NBA Draft Lottery, the NBA D-League Playoffs are down to the final four teams and the Los Angeles D-Fenders made the cut.

In the first round, the D-Fenders handily won in Game 1 against the Reno Bighorns, but suffered a miserable defeat in Game 2, falling 123-116. In the decisive final game on Tuesday, though, the Lakers D-League affiliate beat the Reno Bighorns, 111-108, to move on to the Western Conference Finals against the Austin Spurs.

Game 1 of the series opened up on Thursday night against the Spurs at home for the D-Fenders. The Spurs lost their opening road game in their first-round series, but won the final two to advance to the West Finals.

More from Lake Show Life

Vander Blue came out on fire in Game 1. He racked up 12 points and five rebounds out of the D-Fenders 31 points in the first quarter. The Spurs were struggling, and only scored 19, leaving things looking promising for LA.

Though Spurs guard Nick Johnson showed some mad passing skills in the second quarter to start a comeback for Austin, the D-Fenders were still ahead by 10 points at halftime, 53-43. Blue continued to hold the team’s highest score with 17 points, eight rebounds, and three assists. Not too far behind him was Ryan Gomes with 12 points, four rebounds, and one assist, with Josh Magette also accumulating seven points and five assists.

A big fight broke out over a loose ball in the third quarter. The referee got in the middle of the swarm of players and hit Lazar Hayward with a ‘T’ and a finger pointing towards the locker room. Technical foul and an ejection for Hayward plus double tech on Magette and Keifer Sykes. The Spurs were gaining speed and brought the score within seven just midway through the third quarter. D-Fenders head coach Casey Owens wasn’t shocked by the run from Austin, though.

“I was almost bummed we went up 16, we knew that they were going to make their run, they’re too good,” Owens said. “They made some adjustments—we got a little stagnant there and made some defensive mistakes.”

Gomes and Justin Harper each played the last five minutes with five fouls apiece. Harper was the difference-maker on both ends of the court, scoring, blocking, and rebounding. He was willing the team to a win. Gomes committed his sixth foul with 1:42 remaining and the D-Fenders up by one, 98-97, leaving Harper to anchor the center or the zone defense.

“Communication is key,” said Owens. “We preach it all the time and they talk to each other with intelligently—they have each others back in a big way.”

In true form, Blue pulled magic out of his hat and after going cold for three minutes or so. He flew in the air and landed a beautiful layup to push the D-Fenders ahead by three with 21.2 seconds left. The ensuing play ended with a Spurs missed three and an intentional foul. Harper shot and made two clutch free-throws, then blocked another Spurs three-pointer. That final stand was enough to give the D-Fenders the Game 1 win! Queue “I Love LA!”

Magette ended the game with seven points 13 assists, Blue with 33 points and 13 rebounds, and Justin Harper logged 17 points and nine rebounds. Game 2 is Sunday at 6:30 p.m. ET.

More lakers: Lakers: Mamba Day Live Outside STAPLES Center with Kobe Bryant Fans

All the team needs to do is split the remaining two games to go to the Finals. It’ll be a much tougher task as they go on the road to Austin, but they can do it if they can replicate the effort from Game 1.

Home/Lakers News