Red Claws Lose OT Thriller
March 20, 2016 - NBA G League (G League)
Maine Celtics News Release
Portland, ME - The Maine Red Claws, presented by Unum, lost a heart-breaker at the Portland Expo Sunday, 114-110 in overtime to Raptors 905.
The Red Claws (28-18) were led by Levi Randolph with 25 points and 9 rebounds. Omari Johnson and Marcus Thornton each added 19 points, while Malcolm Miller recorded a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds. Corey Walden and Andre Stringer each added 11 points for Maine. Raptors 905 (19-26) was led by Davion Berry with 28 points.
The game started slow offensively for Maine, with the Red Claws struggling to score in the first half. Sim Bhullar made his very large presence known on both ends of the floor, and the 905 surged to a 35-25 lead at the end of the first quarter. In the second quarter, the Claws had only made two three pointers, before Marcus Thornton dropped in one from downtown. Maine appeared to have righted the ship, but a late run gave Raptors 905 a 64-52 lead at the break.
The Red Claws came out on fire in the third quarter. Omari Johnson drained two quick three pointers, and added a three-point play - the Claws were on an 18-1 run to regain the lead. Johnson scored 12 points in the third quarter alone, leading Maine to a 39-16 advantage in the period. Maine turned a 12 point halftime deficit into an 11-point lead after three quarters.
In the 4th quarter, the 905 made a charge. Bhullar's putback and E.J. Singler's three cut it to five. Davion Berry tied the game at 105 with 1:22 to go with a fadeaway bank shot. Berry had a chance to win the game at the buzzer, but the former Red Claws' jumped fell short off the rim, and the game headed to overtime. Maine did not score in the final 3:43 of the 4th quarter.
In Maine's first OT of the season, Malcolm Miller's put-back slam put the Claws up 107-105. Shannon Scott answered with a fadeaway to even the score once again. Michale Kyser and Berry made back-to-back buckets for the 905 to take a 111-107 lead. Randolph made a flat-footed three pointer to cut it to 111-110 with :16.8 to go. Scott Suggs made two free throws to put Raptors 905 back up three. The Red Claws couldn't get any closer. Maine has now lost three straight games.
The Red Claws shot 44.8% (43-96) from the floor, and 29.7% (11-37) from three-point range. Raptors 905 shot 45.5% (45-99) from the field, and 25% (7-28) from downtown.
Maine hits the road for two games this week against Rio Grande Valley and Austin. The Red Claws return home Thursday, March 31 for the regular season home finale against Delaware. Tickets are on sale by calling 207-210-6655 or visiting MaineRedClaws.com.
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