Can D-Fenders Continue Post Season Success Vs. Sioux Falls in Development League Finals?

EL SEGUNDO, CA - The Los Angeles D-Fenders will try to continue their unlikely postseason success Sunday when they open the NBA Development League Finals against the Sioux Falls Skyforce at the Toyota Sports Center in El Segundo.

The D-Fenders, the Los Angeles Lakers NBA Development League affiliate, had the worst regular-season record among the eight teams qualifying for the playoffs, 27-23.

However, they defeated the Pacific Division champion Reno Bighorns, the Sacramento Kings NBA Development League affiliate, two games to one, in a best- of-three Western Conference semifinal series, and the Austin Spurs, the San Antonio Spurs' NBA Development League affiliate, two games to one in the best- of-three Western Conference Finals.

Sioux Falls, the Miami Heat's NBA Development League affiliate, had the best regular-season record in the league's 15-season history, 40-10, then swept the Westchester Knicks, the New York Knicks NBA Development League affiliate, two games to none in a best-of-three Eastern Conference semifinal series, and the Canton Charge, the Cleveland Cavaliers NBA Development League affiliate, two games to none in the best-of-three Eastern Conference Finals.

Forward Vander Blue has keyed the D-Fenders playoff run, averaging 27.2 points per game, including 43 in the opening game of Western Conference semifinal series. The 6-foot-4-inch Blue was second in the league in scoring during the regular season, averaging 26.3 points per game.

Guard Josh Magette led the league in assists (9.2) and steals (2.4). Guard Andre Ingram is the league's career leader in 3-point baskets with 583 and had a league-best .496 3-point shooting percentage.

Blue is among four D-Fenders with NBA experience, along with forwards Ryan Gomes and Lazar Hayward and center Justin Harper.

Skyforce forward Jarnell Stokes was selected as the league's MVP after averaging a team-high 20.6 points per game and helping it to a league-best .493 shooting percentage. Forward DeAndre Liggins was chosen as the league's Defensive Player of the Year as the team allowed a league-low 98.1 points per game.

The Sioux Falls roster also includes former UCLA guard Larry Drew II, who averaged 5.7 points in three regular-season games and 2 points in two playoff games after starting the season with France's AS Monaco Basket.

Tickets remained available as of Friday afternoon, but a sellout was expected. The capacity at Toyota Sports Center, the Lakers practice facility, is a little over 400.

Tickets are priced at $25 for general admission, $40 for second row reserved, $99 courtside and $125 for VIP, which includes meal service.

--City News Service, photo courtesy of the D-Fenders