Red Claws off to Best Start in Franchise History with 96-82 Win
Published on December 14, 2014 under NBA G League (G League)
Maine Celtics News Release
Portland, ME- The Maine Red Claws (9-2), presented by Unum, used a strong all-around performance to limit the Canton Charge (7-5) to 42% shooting (25% from beyond the arc) to secure the 96-82 victory at the Portland Expo Building on Sunday. This is the best start in franchise history.
The two teams traded leads seven times in the opening quarter, with Jermaine Taylor running out to an early eight points to pace the Red Claws offense. Stephen Holt kept Canton in the game with nine of his own in the frame, but the Red Claws closed out the period with a pair of Tim Frazier free throws to take a slim 24-22 advantage, a lead the Red Claws would not relinquish.
Maine pushed their advantage to 15 in the second quarter, with Frazier pouring in seven points while the rest of the team all contributed to the tally on their way to 29 points, shooting 11-22 (50%) while holding the Charge to 5-19 (26%) shooting. Michael Dunigan led Canton with six in the quarter, but the Red Claw's defense did the job as Maine went into the locker room with a 53-38 edge.
The teams traded baskets again in the third quarter, with Maine pushing their lead to 23. The Charge were paced by Kevin Olekaibe, who put in six points, but Chris Babb's nine, Omari Johnson's six and Jason Calliste's five off the bench for the Red Claws sent the home team into the final 12 minutes with a 75-58 lead.
Justin Johnson sparked a Canton comeback with 12 fourth quarter points and Steve Weingarten had six off the bench on a pair of three pointers to cut the Red Claws lead to nine with just over three minutes to play, but Omari Johnson put the game away for Maine with three pointers on back to back possessions to cement the 96-82 win.
Holt led the Charge with 15 points. Also scoring in double figures for the visitors were Johnson (12), Dunigan (12 points, two blocks) and Alexander Kirk, on assignment from the Cleveland Cavaliers (11 points, seven rebounds). Arinze Onuaku had nine points and 10 rebounds for the visitors.
For the Red Claws, Johnson (24 points, seven rebounds, three steals) led all scorers. Also key in the Maine win were Babb (17 points, seven rebounds, three steals), Frazier (16 points, 13 assists, five rebounds, two steals), Calliste (nine points) and Asauhn Dixon-Tatum (six points, seven rebounds).
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