Maine Celtics Drop Second Consecutive to Gold
February 6, 2022 - NBA G League (G League)
Maine Celtics News Release
PORTLAND, ME - The Maine Celtics, presented by Unum, erased a 25-point deficit but ultimately came up short against the Grand Rapids Gold for the second time in three days, falling 111-97.
Sam Hauser poured in 30 points on 7-13 from beyond the arc for Maine, adding five rebounds and six assists. Chris Clemons and Brodric Thomas each scored 13 points, with Thomas collecting three rebounds and three blocks. Jaysean Paige posted 12 points and Denzel Valentine finished with nine points, 12 rebounds and six assists.
Nik Stauskas led Grand Rapids with 30 points, seven rebounds and four assists. Marcus Burk totaled 18 points and five rebounds. Tarik Black had 16 points and four rebounds. Matt Ryan recorded 15 points.
The first bucket of the game came courtesy of a layup from Burk, with John Bohannon putting Maine on the board the next trip down. Hauser and Stauskas each got themselves going with a three-pointer in the early going, with Grand Rapids holding a 7-5 lead at the first stoppage. The Celtics shot sub-35 percent from the field to start, but some forced turnovers and strong perimeter defense kept them within close until a Gold run got them out to a 27-17 lead after one.
Grand Rapids started the second on an 8-0 run, which was quelled when Hauser and Valentine each knocked down a triple. The Gold heated up from downtown to stretch the lead to 46-24 by the middle of the quarter. Hauser's solo 6-0 run brought the Celtics back within 20, and Ryan Arcidiacono's steal and finish forced the Gold into a timeout up 16. It went back-and-forth into the locker room as the Gold led 57-40 at the break. Maine shot 15-47 (31.9 percent) from the field, 5-24 (20.8 percent) from deep and 3-6 (50 percent) at the stripe in the first half. Grand Rapids shot 18-37 (48.6 percent) from the field, 7-13 (53.8 percent) from deep and 7-10 (70 percent) at the stripe.
Paige was inserted into the starting lineup for Deonte Burton to start the second half. The Celtics went on a 10-2 run to cut the deficit to single-digits in the opening minutes, with Hauser hitting a pair from distance and Thomas dropping in seven quick points. Maine's defense clamped down on Grand Rapids' big men during third despite playing undersized and undermanned at the center position. Burton scored five straight to make it 71-67 before Quade Green settled the Gold with a three. Arcidiacono set up Clemons for a deep triple in the final minute, bringing the Celtics within four, 76-72 at the end of the third.
Hauser stayed hot from downtown, making sound passes when defenses closed out hard enough to prevent a shot. Paige's and-one tied it, 86-86, with 7:27 to play but Stauskas' 6-0 solo run stretched the Grand Rapids lead to 92-86 just over a minute later. Clemons hit twice from downtown to keep the Celtics within a handful, but Stauskas and Ryan answered with threes of their own to put Grand Rapids ahead, 107-94 with just over a minute remaining. The Gold controlled possession late to secure the win. Maine finished 32-83 (38.6 percent) from the field, 13-41 (31.7 percent) from downtown and 11-16 (68.8 percent) at the line. Grand Rapids finished 38-79 (48.1 percent) from the field, 15-33 (45.5 percent) from downtown and 11-14 (78.6 percent) at the line.
The Maine Celtics play host the Wisconsin Herd on Feb. 10 and the Greensboro Swarm on Feb. 12. The Celtics face the College Park Skyhawks at the Expo on Feb. 17.
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