Red Claws Fall at Grand Rapids
March 28, 2017 - NBA G League (G League)
Maine Celtics News Release
Grand Rapids, MI- The Maine Red Claws, presented by Unum, couldn't overcome turnovers and offensive rebounds Tuesday morning, falling to the Grand Rapids Drive, 107-95. With the loss, Maine's 3rd in a row, the Red Claws' lead over Delaware is 2.5 games with two games to play. Delaware has three games remaining. The magic number to clinch the Atlantic Division and a playoff spot remains 1.
Jordan Mickey, on assignment from the Boston Celtics, led Maine (28-20) with 21 points and 9 rebounds. Abdel Nader added 16 points, Jalen Jones scored 13, and Demetrius Jackson, also on assignment from the Celtics, added 11 points on 4-7 shooting. Maine turned toe ball over 20 times in the game, and gave up 21 offensive rebounds.
The Red Claws got off to a fast start, with Mickey's lay-up giving Maine a 6-0 lead. Jackson's three and Jones' lay-up made it a 12-3 game not even 5 minutes into the 1st quarter. It was a ten point lead at 15-5. The Drive responded - Marcus Simmons put in a three-point play to make it a two point game with 4:00 to go. Grand Rapids finished the quarter on an 8-0 run, taking a 30-22 lead after one quarter.
In the 2nd, Grand Rapids (24-24) extended to an 11 point lead, where Maine began to mount its own comeback. Mickey's 2nd chance hook shot, but again the Drive took advantage of several Red Claws turnovers. Grand Rapids 35-11 run made it a 40-26 game halfway through the 2nd. Nader's three-point play cut it to 12 with 3:00 to go. Nader went on a run late in the period, but Grand Rapids still held a 52-39 lead at the break. Grand Rapids shot just 37% in the first half, while the Red Claws shot 38% (14-37) from the field, and just 4-17 from downtown. Maine turned the ball over 15 times in the first half, and gave up 13 offensive rebounds.
Maine started the 3rd quarter on a 12-5 run, with Jackson leading the charge, cutting the deficit to 57-51. Grand Rapids would surge back, re-gaining a 10 point advantage. Lorenzo Brown led Grand Rapids, as the Drive continued to dominate the offensive glass. A five point deficit turned into an 18 point drought late in the period, and Brown's bucket at the buzzer made it 82-64 Drive after three.
In the 4th, Marcus Georges-Hunt dropped in a three to cut it to 84-72 with 8:27 to play. Kevin Murphy drained a 2nd chance three to extend the Grand Rapids lead, and Brown's three made it 96-74 Drive. From there Grand Rapids cruised to victory. The Red Claws shot 42% (34-81) from the floor, 31% (13-42) from three-point range, and 14-22 from the free throw line. Grand Rapids shot 41% (40-97) from the field, 37% (11-30) from beyond the arc, and 16-21 from the line.
Maine next heads to Greensboro for a 7 p.m. tipoff on Friday. The regular season wraps up Saturday night at Windy City.
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NBA G League Stories from March 28, 2017
- Drive Shake off Slow Start, Halt Red Claws - Grand Rapids Drive
- Red Claws Fall at Grand Rapids - Maine Celtics
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