Impressed by Magette. Serious range and a quick first step. Finds the cutters in stride.
Also really impressed with the spacing of the D-Fenders. Wow they look like a disciplined, well-coached team . Our Lakers could learn a few things watching these guys play.
Vander Blue, D-Fenders Spoil Sioux Falls Celebration with Gutty Game 2 Win
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Thanks to a gutty effort from an injury-depleted rosters, the D-Fenders won Game 2 over the Sioux Falls Skyforce, 109-102, to force a winner-take-all Game 3 Wednesday night at the Sanford Pentagon (8 PM ET, ESPNU).
The night was set up to be a coronation for the hometown team. The Miami Heat’s affiliate had swept through the playoffs (5-0) prior to Tuesday night after posting an NBADL all-time best 40-10 record during the regular season.
D-Fenders Top Skyforce to Set Up Decisive Finals Matchup
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With their season on the line in Game 2 of the D-League Finals, the D-Fenders turned to their veteran players, who delivered in clutch fashion.
Sioux Falls scored six unanswered points to trim Los Angeles’ lead to one with four minutes left when Josh Magette responded with a much-needed 3-pointer.
L.A. D-Fenders
D-Fend The Hoop @DFendTheHoop
. @ GotGomes and @joshmagette combined for 22 of the @DFenders 29 points in the 4th Q. Both had 11 apiece in the final frame. #DLeagueFinals
Skyforce fall to D-Fenders in Game 2 of D-League Finals
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The champagne showers will have to wait for the Sioux Falls Skyforce.
Up 1-0 in the best-of-three D-League Finals, Sioux Falls dropped Game 2 to the Los Angeles D-Fenders, 109-102, on Tuesday night at the Sanford Pentagon. It was only the Skyforce’s fourth home loss this season.
Game 3 will be played Wednesday at 7 pm, back at the Pentagon.
Rebounds – LA 33 (Gomes 11), SF 43 (Liggins 10).
Assists – LA 23 (Magette 10), SF 25 (Liggins 6, McGruder 5).
Fouls – LA 19, SF 21. Steals – LA 8, SF 3. Turnovers – LA 9, SF 17. Blocks – LA 6, SF 5.
Skyforce fall to D-Fenders in Game 2 of D-League Finals
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The champagne showers will have to wait for the Sioux Falls Skyforce.
Up 1-0 in the best-of-three D-League Finals, Sioux Falls dropped Game 2 to the Los Angeles D-Fenders, 109-102, on Tuesday night at the Sanford Pentagon. It was only the Skyforce’s fourth home loss this season.
Game 3 will be played Wednesday at 7 pm, back at the Pentagon.
* FORCED TO THE LIMIT: LA Stuns Sioux Falls In Game Two
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The Sioux Falls Skyforce (1-1) fell to the Los Angeles D-Fenders (1-1) in game two, evening the NBA Development League Finals series at one game apiece. The game marked the first loss of the 2016 postseason for the Skyforce, while the D-Fenders will play in their third consecutive three-game series.
D-Fenders defeat Skyforce 109-102 to force must-win game three
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In a close game in which no team held more than a two-point lead at the end of the first three quarters, Los Angeles outscored the Skyforce 29-23 in the fourth quarter to force a decisive game three on Wednesday in Sioux Falls.
In the words of NBA D-League Finals Game 2 hero Vander Blue, “It’s for the gold ball, man.”
Blue and the L.A. D-Fenders (Lakers affiliate) gutted out a series-tying victory on Tuesday in Sioux Falls to force a winner-take-all Game 3 back at the Sanford Pentagon on Wednesday (8 PM ET).
Here’s what to watch for during the primetime ESPNU matchup:
Skyforce hammer D-Fenders 91-63 to win D-League championship
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The Skyforce ripped off a 10-0 run to start, but the D-Fenders battled back to end the quarter only trailing 17-22 behind seven points and three steals from Josh Magette. Magette got a bit of help from Vander Blue in the second quarter (both had 10 points at the half) but the entire team struggled, shooting just 30 percent in the first half while turning the ball over seven times. All things considered, it was an accomplishment they only trailed 42-35 at the half.
Things went from bad to worse in the third quarter, as Los Angeles announced they would be without Ryan Gomes for the second half with an injury they suspected was a torn groin. Los Angeles looked deflated before D-League MVP Jarnell Stokes (25 points on 11-13 shooting and 12 rebounds) started hitting his outside jumper, and the Skyforce pounced, outscoring the D-Fenders 27-13 in the period.
Sioux Falls Skyforce Cap Historic Season with First NBA D-League
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SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The Sioux Falls Skyforce, affiliate of the Miami Heat, capped the winningest season in NBA Development League history with their first NBA D-League championship on Wednesday night at the Sanford Pentagon.
Regular-season MVP Jarnell Stokes earned Finals MVP honors as the Skyforce rolled past the Los Angeles D-Fenders (Lakers affiliate), 91-63, in the winner-take-all Game 3.
Sioux Falls finished the regular season with a 40-10 record – the best in the NBA D-League’s 15-year history – before going 6-1 in the playoffs. The ‘Force finished 26-4 at home in the Pentagon.
“One of the biggest things that stuck out about this team is how tough we are with each other,” said Stokes. “We’re very tough-minded. We’re almost like demons on the court. But I’m starting to realize the more I’m here how much guys really love each other. Like, we really want to see each other do well. And I think that’s what sets us apart from any other team.”
“That group in there, it’s selfless,” said head coach Dan Craig, in his 13th season in the Heat organization. “It’s not about who’s doing well, who’s scoring, who’s playing. And it starts there: really buying into the team.”
The title is the third in Skyforce history; the team began play in the Continental Basketball Association in 1989, winning titles in 1996 and 2005, and joined the NBA D-League in 2006. They became singly affiliated with the Heat in 2013, with Miami running basketball operations and Sioux Falls continuing to manage off-the-court business operations and community initiatives.
Eight of the nine players who appeared in Wednesday night’s clincher had spent team with the Heat during Summer League, training camp, the preseason and/or regular season.
“It’s everybody’s goal, to get to this point. And we’re here,” said guard DeAndre Liggins. “I’ve been around a great group of guys all year. I’m kind of sad that this [is] our last game, but I’m happy at the same time.”
too bad. hope some of em get a preseason invite. btw is the center any good?
The D-fenders actually use a PF as center (small ball).
Ryan Gomes is a beast at 6'7 or 8. He was injured and missed the second half last night (one reason the score was not close). Veteran of the NBA and Euro-ball.
Jeff Ayers (6'10-11), another NBA vet, is also really good but he was signed by the Clippers shortly before the play-offs.
Both are hard-nosed power forwards with the ability to stretch the floor especially Gomes. Very good defenders and rebounders.
J. Harper (6'10) is also a very good all-around player with a nice outside shot. He had a stint with the Pistons last month.
They can look into adding some depth this off-season. Game would have been close if guys like Blue and Gomes weren't tired/injured. Feel bad for Gomes. Hopefully his injury isn't serious because he belongs in the NBA next season.
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. Our Lakers could learn a few things watching these guys play.
