The Los Angeles D-Fenders made history Wednesday night after pulling out a 111-98 win over the Reno Bighorns. The D-Fenders matched the greatest single-season home record in NBA Development League history. Playing in their last home game of the regular season, the D-Fenders win marked an impressive 21-4 home record.
The win didn’t come easy though, as at the end of the first and second quarters the D-Fenders were all tied up with the Bighorns. But despite going into the half tied at 51, the D-Fenders outscored the Bighorns by six in the third quarter. Going into the fourth the D-Fenders outscored the Bighorns once again helping them pull out a 13-point win.
The D-Fenders ended their home stance strong with guard Elijah Millsap, Christian Eyenga and forward Jamario Moon posting up big numbers. Millsap finished the game with 32 points, seven rebounds and six assists. Millsap was 3-5 from behind the arc and was perfect from the free throw line, making 11 of 11. After being fairly quiet in the past two games Moon posted 16 points, six rebounds and two assists. Eyenga added 13 points and four rebounds in the win.
Off the bench, the D-Fenders got a good effort by guards Andrew Ingram and Mardy Collins. Ingram ignited the D-Fenders offense scoring 16 points and handing out five assists, while Collins contributed 11 points and six assists.
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Once again the D-Fenders defense proved true, allowing them to manage and gain control of the ball game in the second half. Although the Bighorns shot 43.4 percent for the night, the D-Fenders held them to just 39.5 percent field-goal shooting percentage in the second half.
Despite the Bighorns having five players end in double figures the Bighorns fell to the D-Fenders dropping to 20-28 on the season. The Bighorns received a strong effort from guards Eric Devendorf and Antoine Wright. Devendorf entered the game off the bench and ended with 26 points and three steals. Wright contributed impressive stats finishing off with 21 points, seven rebounds and eight assists. Forward Mo Charlo ended with a double-double posting up 12 points and 10 rebounds, while guard Will Blalock fell short of a triple-double finishing with 12 points, seven rebounds and seven assists. Center David Harrison added 15 points and three rebounds in the loss.
With this win the D-Fenders improve to 36-12, still maintaining the best record in the D-League. The D-Fenders record versus the Bighorns this season ends with the D-Fenders on top 7-1.
The D-Fenders have been extremely successful at home, which should play in their favor as they attained home court advantage throughout the playoffs. The D-Fenders impressive home record this season matches four other teams records that have been made since the D-Leagues inaugural 2001-2002 season. The four other teams that the D-Fenders tied with include the Iowa Energy (2010-11), Dakota Wizards (2009-10), Rio Grande Valley Vipers (2009-10) and Idaho Stampede (2007-08).
L.A will have a chance to break the tie as they head on the road to play a back-to-back series of games. They play the Texas Legends on April 6th before ending their season in Iowa versus the Energy on April 7th. The D-Fenders look to end their season on a four game winning streak before entering into the post season.
