Vipers looking to get back on track at NBA D-League Showcase

OREM, Utah - The Vipers arrived in Utah on Sunday night for the annual NBA Development League Showcase, which begins Monday, looking to bounce back from Saturday's surprising 116-105 home loss to the Albuquerque Thunderbirds. They hope to find their way back into the win column against Reno (2-12) at 8:15 p.m. Monday, and vs. Sioux Falls at 11 a.m. on Wednesday.

Despite having soundly defeated the 3-10 T-Birds in their two previous meetings, including a 108-96 victory one night before, the Vipers (7-9) struggled throughout Saturday's rematch and never threatened during the second half.

"Here's what happens when you think you are bigger than the game, when you think you can just come in and decide to turn on a switch at some point, this is what happens to you," Vipers coach Clay Moser said after Saturday's loss. "If that's what you want to have happen to you, then feel free."

The fifth-annual event tips off its 16-game schedule today and runs through Thursday at the McKay Events Center and will feature all 16 D-League teams playing two games apiece.

Nine members of the 2008 NBA Draft class are slated to participate, including Vipers power forward Joey Dorsey, who is on assignment from the Houston Rockets.

Dorsey, 6-foot-9, 268 pounds, is averaging 11.8 points and 9.5 rebounds per game for the Vipers.