Tarik Black helps the D-Fenders improve to 15-14
Tarik Black gets a late game dunk in against the Warriors during the Lakers’ 109-88 loss to Golden State at Staples Center on Jan. 5.
Lakers forward/center Tarik Black helped the D-Fenders (15-14) defeat the Oklahoma City Blue (10-20) on Saturday, scoring 15 points with 14 rebounds on assignment in the NBA Development League.
Through eight appearances with the D-Fenders, Black has averaged 16.4 points, 11.8 rebounds and 2.6 blocks, while shooting 57.4% from the field.
The Lakers recalled Black on Sunday.
On Saturday, the D-Fenders were led by former Lakers guard Vander Blue with 31 points.
Blue was one of two D-Fenders named an NBA Development League All-Star on Friday, along with teammate, forward/center Justin Harper. The event will be held on Feb. 13 in Toronto.
Heading into Saturday’s contest, Harper has averaging 13.1 points and 4.7 rebounds a game, while shooting a league-best 95.7% from the free-throw line. Blue was fourth in the D-League in scoring at 24.3 points a night, along with 5.3 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 2.0 steals.
Forward Jeff Ayres, currently signed to a 10-day contract with the Clippers, was also named to the D-League’s Western Conference squad.
Other familiar names on the two All-Star teams including Jimmer Fredette, Keith Appling, Jordan Mickey, Jordan McRae, Sean Kilpatrick and Erick Green. Appling is currently on the Orlando Magic, McRae the Phoenix Suns, Kilpatrick the Denver Nuggets and Green the Utah Jazz.
Three All-Stars are full-fledged NBA players. Mickey is under a multi-year contract with the Boston Celtics; Rakeem Christmas is with the Indiana Pacers and Jarnell Stokes the Miami Heat.
The D-Fenders recently acquired former Clippers forward Ryan Gomes, who scored 22 points with 10 rebounds on Saturday against the Blue.
Oklahoma City was led by former Philadelphia 76ers draft pick J.P. Tokoto with 19 points.
Robert Upshaw, who went through training camp with the Lakers, played just eight minutes, while working his way back from nearly a month absence -- sidelined with a viral infection.
Email Eric Pincus at eric.pincus@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @EricPincus.
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