Claws Can't Overcome Swarming Deficit
Published on December 27, 2018 under NBA G League (G League)
Maine Celtics News Release
Greensboro, NC - The Maine Red Claws, presented by Unum, spotted the Greensboro Swarm an early lead, and could not overcome the deficit, falling in Greensboro Thursday night, 109-95.
Maine (5-13) was led by Boston Celtics Two-Way Player P.J. Dozier, who finished with 22 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists. Sheldon Jeter added 14 points to lead the bench in scoring, including 4 three-pointers. John Bohannon recorded a double-double with 13 points and 12 rebounds, while Andrew White scored 13. Justin Bibbs and Vitto Brown each scored 11 points in the loss.
Greensboro (10-9) was led by Charlotte Hornets assignee Devonte' Graham with 30 points. Fellow Hornets assignee Dwayne Bacon added 19 points in the win.
The Swarm opened on a 6-2 run before White stopped that with a driving lay-up. Dozier hit a long jumper to give Maine a 12-10 lead. Greensboro would go on a 17-3 run, and a Dwayne Bacon slam made it 27-15 Swarm. Bibbs and Bacon traded threes, and Dozier would take over offensively, getting the deficit down to 3. Still, Greensboro led 37-30 after 1.
In the 2nd, Greensboro began with 5 quick points, including a Joe Chealey three. Dozier stopped the run with a driving lay-up. The 12-2 run to open the quarter extended the Swarm lead to 17. Jeter and Dozier hit back-to-back threes to cut it back to 10 at 53-43. Jeter scored 5 straight to cut it to 6 points, but Graham hit a deep three at the end of the period to make it 65-56 Greensboro at the half. Dozier led all scorers with 15 points at the break.
Dozier opened the scoring in the 3rd with a tough bank shot. Vitto Brown knocked in a three, and Bibbs' free throw made it a 70-62 game. Greensboro scored 7 straight points to get the lead back to 15. The Claws chipped away again - Jeter hit a three and Dozier's drive made it a 5 point game at 80-75. Costly turnovers led to Swarm baskets, as Greensboro took an 86-75 lead after 3.
In the 4th, Dallas Lauderdale's dunk cut it to 9 points. The Red Claws opened on a 10-4 run, with John Bohannon's slam cutting it to 90-85. Again, Greensboro went on a mini run, scoring 6 straight. Graham hit a bi three to make it 99-86. Cheaney hit a dagger three in the final minutes to put the game away for good.
The Red Claws shot 38% (35-92) from the floor, 33% (14-42) from three-point range, and 11-17 from the free throw line. Greensboro shot 45% (42-93) from the field, 35% (13-37) from downtown, and 12-16 from the charity stripe.
The Red Claws return to action on Saturday at Raptors 905. Maine returns home on Monday for a New Year's Eve matinee against Erie. Very limited tickets are still available by calling 207-210-6655 or visiting MaineRedClaws.com.
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