Los Angeles D-Fenders Advance To D-League Finals, Await Playoff Opponent

The Los Angeles D-Fenders have undergone quite a few roster changes this season, but Eric Musselman and the rest of the brain trust hired by the Los Angeles Lakers found solid replacements every time one of their studs was summoned to an NBA roster.

Despite losing three starting point guards (Jamaal Tinsley, Ish Smith and Courtney Fortson) along with the outstanding Gerald Green and veteran wing Jamario Moon to the NBA, the D-Fenders find themselves in the D-League Finals.

Los Angeles swept the Bakersfield Jam in the semifinals, handily advancing to the three-game championship series with a 109-90 victory on Saturday night. Elijah Millsap scored 23 points to go with his four steals while Mardy Collins came off the bench to play one of his better games of the season, scoring 23 to with nine assists for the former first round pick.

Bakersfield was led by Derrick Byars with 18 points while battling foul trouble, but the Jam defense wasn't quite there as Los Angeles shot 57 percent from the field on the way to the victory. Highlights of Saturday night's game are included below.

The D-Fenders will play the winner of Sunday night's game between the Canton Charge and Austin Toros.