BIRMINGHAM NOTCHES SHOWCASE SWEEP IN BLOWOUT WIN OVER GRAND RAPIDS

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (December 20, 2021) – The Birmingham Squadron (9-5), NBA G League affiliate of the New Orleans Pelicans, earned their seventh straight win and their second of the NBA G League Winter Showcase in a 119-85 blowout over Grand Rapids (5-8) Monday night.

The Squadron took an early lead in the contest and never looked back, never surrendering a lead to the Gold in the game. The Gold closed the gap in the second quarter, finishing the first half only down by six, but Birmingham put the nail in the coffin coming out of the break and outscored the Gold 31-13 in the third quarter, ultimately leading to a 34-point victory.

The 34-point rout was the biggest margin of victory by the Squadron all season, and is the fourth-largest win of any G League team this season.

The play of guards Jose Alvarado and Joe Young in Birmingham’s backcourt was the highlight for the Squadron, accounting for 54 total points as both players tied for a team-high 27 points each. Alvarado added eight rebounds, four assists and a steal, while Young added six rebounds one assist and three steals in the contest.

Birmingham also posted another strong shooting performance, making 19 threes as a team for the second game in a row, tying a season high. The Squadron’s 19 threes are also tied for the 10th most in a single game in the G League this season.
NBA veteran Lance Stephenson led the way for the Gold, posting a double-double with 20 points and 10 rebounds, while guard Marcus Burk recorded 18 points off of the bench.

Also notable for the Squadron was the play of Alabama alum John Petty Jr., who came off the bench and registered a season-high 15 points along with seven rebounds, four assists and a block.

The Squadron leave the Winter Showcase 2-0 and head to Los Angeles next to face the South Bay Lakers on December 28.

###