L.A. D-Fenders draw Santa Cruz Warriors in first round of D-League playoffs

The Los Angeles D-Fenders (31-19) will host the Santa Cruz Warriors (29-21) in the first round of the NBA Development League postseason.

After finishing the regular season with the second overall seed, the D-Fenders were given the right to pick their playoff opponent after the Fort Wayne Mad Ants (34-16) chose the Reno Bighorns (27-23).

The D-Fenders and Warriors split eight games during the regular season. The first game will be on Thursday in Santa Cruz.

The series shifts to the Lakers’ practice facility in El Segundo for Game 2 on Saturday and, if necessary, a Game 3 on Tuesday.

The D-Fenders missed the 2012-13 postseason with a 21-29 record.

Former Lakers forward Shawne Williams has made 23 appearances this season for the D-Fenders, averaging 20.5 points a game.

Ryan Kelly, Xavier Henry, Manny Harris, Elias Harris and Williams played for both the Lakers and D-Fenders this season. Manny Harris and Elias Harris are no longer with either team.

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Email Eric Pincus at [email protected] and follow him on Twitter @EricPincus.