Red Claws Clinch #1 Seed in East
March 27, 2015 - NBA G League (G League)
Maine Celtics News Release
Portland, ME- The Maine Red Claws, presented by Unum, clinched first place in the Eastern Conference on Friday night by using their best defensive half in franchise history to hold the Westchester Knicks to 31 second half points to overcome a 21 point deficit to win at the Portland Expo Building, 102-94. The comeback was Maine's largest on the season.
The Knicks (10-36) got out to the early lead, sparked by an 11-2 run that saw Ben Strong score six in quick succession. James Young, on assignment from the Boston Celtics, converted a three point play and Chris Babb hit a layup to cut into the lead as the teams traded baskets throughout the period. Westchester closed out the quarter on a 14-2 run over the final 4:12, however, as Maine (32-14) shot just 30% from the floor and 0-8 from downtown to enter the second quarter trailing 36-17.
The Red Claws would play catch up for most of the second quarter, falling behind 21 points early in the quarter on a Strong bucket. Maine would convert six three pointers in succession, with two from Jason Calliste, two from Young, one from Tim Frazier and one from Romero Osby to cut the lead down to 14, but the Knicks were able to maintain their big lead thanks to the strong play of Darnell Jackson (six in the quarter), Doron Lamb and Walker Russell (five each). A Calliste three pointer at the buzzer sent the hosts into the locker room trailing 63-47. Westchester shot 55% in the half while holding Maine to 35% shooting.
Maine focused on defense to create offense in the third quarter, holding the Knicks to 14 points on 32% shooting while getting five points each from Osby, Frazier and Babb on their way to 24 in the frame (41% shooting). Strong and Lamb had strong efforts in the frame for Westchester, but the momentum began to swing as the teams were separated by just six points heading into the final 12 minutes, with Westchester leading 77-71.
Osby opened the fourth with a quick bucket and the floodgates opened for Maine. Calliste hit a three pointer on the next possession and, with 9:24 remaining in the game, Andre Stringer buried a three to give Maine their first lead at 79-77, a lead they would not relinquish. Calliste made another three, followed by a Davion Berry three; all part of a 24-4 run that put the Red Claws on top 95-81 with 3:48 to play. Westchester would not go away, using a 10-2 run over the next 2:22 to cut the Maine lead to four, but Calliste converted five free throws down the stretch to secure the Red Claws win and lock up the conference title.
The Knicks were paced by Strong, with 21 points, 13 rebounds and two blocks. Lamb (20 points, seven rebounds), Jackson (15 points, 10 rebounds), Thanasis Antetokounmpo (15) and Russell (nine).
Calliste led the offense for the Red Claws with a career high 24 points to go along with a career high seven rebounds. Young (16 points, five rebounds), Frazier (16 points, seven rebounds, four assists), Osby (15 points, nine rebounds) and Babb (10) were the top offensive contributors for Maine, while Ralph Sampson III (11 rebounds, four blocks) keyed the defensive effort.
The Red Claws are back home on Sunday to take on the Grand Rapids Drive at 1:00pm. The Knicks will host the Drive on Monday night at 7:00pm.
• Discuss this story on the NBA G League message board...
NBA G League Stories from March 27, 2015
- D-Fenders Dropped by Mad Ants - Los Angeles D-Fenders
- Stampede Defeated by Sioux Falls - Idaho Stampede
- Red Claws Clinch #1 Seed in East - Maine Celtics
- Red Claws Clinch Playoffs by Clamping Westchester Knicks - Westchester Knicks
- Jackson Powers Jam Past Blue - Bakersfield Jam
- Blue Comes up Short in Bakersfield - Oklahoma City Blue
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
