Short-Handed Celtics Run out of Gas at Showcase
December 21, 2021 - NBA G League (G League)
Maine Celtics News Release
Las Vegas, NV - The Maine Celtics, presented by Unum, jumped out to a 10 point lead but were unable to hold on, falling to the Rio Grande Valley Vipers 105-98 in the Showcase Cup consolation game at the NBA G League Winter Showcase.
Maine was playing with just 8 players, due to injuries and players getting called up to the NBA. The Celtics were led by Chris Clemons, who finished with 31 points and 9 rebounds. Jaysean Paige added 21 points in the loss. Jahlil Tripp, signed two days ago and forced to start due to the team being so short-handed, finished with 15 points and 13 rebounds in the loss.
Rio Grande Valley was led by Marcus Foster with 21 points.
Eric Demers drained a three off a feed from Clemons to put Maine up 2 early. Clemons followed that up with a three of his own, and Maine led 12-8. Maine would go on a run - Jahlil Tripp scored on a three-point play, and Demers buried another three -The Celtics led 24-14. The Vipers cut into the lead, with Jimond Ivey driving to the basket for two to cut it to 7. Brian Cameron drained a three late in the period, but Asante Gist answered with a three of his own. Maine led 36-26 after 1.
In the 2nd, Ryan Daly knocked down a corner three to put Maine up 9. Paige drove to the basket for two to put Maine up 41-31. RGV answered with a Marvin Smith driving lay-up, but Clemons answered with a bucket of his own. Still, the Vipers fought back. Kahlil Whitney's dunk off a steal cut it to a two point game, and Daishen Nix tied the game at 43 with a driving dunk. Marcus Foster's three put Rio Grande up three. Clemons' three-point play stopped the bleeding. Paige took over the period, scoring 5 straight points. Maine took a 55-54 lead into the half. Maine shot 41.7% (20-48) from the floor in the first half, while RGV shot 40.8% (20-49).
Clemons and Paige opened the 3rd by hitting back-to-back threes. Nix tied the game at 61 with a driving lay-up. Marvin Smith dropped in a three to put RGV up 6. Jahlil Tripp put back a pair of buckets to keep Maine close. Christian Vital's three-pointer at the buzzer was waved off, but Rio Grande Valley held a 76-75 lead after 3.
In the 4th, Marvin Smith's bucket put RGV up 5. Clemons answered with a bucket of his own. Clemons followed that up with a three-ball to tie the game at 80. Demers and Clemons kept Maine in the game on both sides of the floor. Maine and RGV would trade shot for shot down the stretch. Vital hit a crucial three late to put the Vipers up 98-92. Clemons got the game back to three at the free throw line, but Marvin Smith broke the pressure for an easy dunk to put the game away. Maine finished the game shooting 37.5% (36-96) from the field, 29.3% (12-41) from three-point range, and 9-12 from the free throw line. RGV shot 41.9% (39-93) from the floor, 32.4% (12-37) from downtown, and 11-15 from the charity stripe.
Maine is next scheduled to play on Dec. 27 at Cleveland. The Celtics' next home game is Dec. 31 against Long Island.
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