Short-Handed Red Claws Fall to Canton
March 16, 2016 - NBA G League (G League)
Maine Celtics News Release
Canton, OH - The Maine Red Claws, presented by Unum, dressed only eight players and led late into the third quarter, but couldn't stop the hot-shooting Canton Charge, 130-123 Wednesday night. Maine (28-16) saw its season-high winning streak snapped at seven games.
In a potential playoff preview, the Red Claws were left short-handed after Tim Frazier left the team, signing a 10-day contract with the New Orleans Pelicans. Maine's starters scored 116 of the team's 123 points. Corey Walden led the way with 28 points, 7 rebounds and 8 assists, while Malcolm Miller added 27 points on 11-12 shooting, and Levi Randolph poured in 25 points and 6 rebounds. Marcus Thornton, making his first start, added 17 points, while Omari Johnson scored 16 points and grabbed 7 boards.
The short-handed Claws got off to a fast start - Levi Randolph and Omari Johnson traded baskets and Maine enjoyed an early 20-10 lead. The Charge got right back into it - Michael Stockton's finger roll got Canton within three - and his free throw made it a 34-32 Red Claws lead after one.
In the second quarter, Malcolm Miller got going from the inside, getting a floater to fall and then converting a three-point play. Lamar Patterson's back-to-back buckets gave the Charge the lead and started an 8-0 run. Canton surged out to a 56-47 lead. Maine closed out the half on a 12-5 run, led by Miller's bank shot, followed by a Randolph fadeaway and a Corey Walden three at the buzzer. The game was tied at the break, 64-64. Both teams were red-hot in the first half, with Canton shooting 68% from the floor (28-41) and Maine shooting 65% (26-40).
The game remained close halfway through the 3rd quarter, until the Claws' offense cooled off. With an 83-77 lead, Maine only scored five points the rest of the quarter, getting out-scored by Canton 18-5 and 31-24 on the quarter, trailing 95-88 after three.
It didn't get any better in the 4th quarter for Maine, as the Charge opened on a 12-2 run to take a double-digit lead. Canton extended to an 18 point advantage, but the Claws weren't done. Maine got it back to ten - then Walden and Miller's back-to-back three's made it a five point game at 121-116. Stockton converted a three point play, which fouled Walden out of the game, which proved to be the dagger.
Canton wound up shooting 59.7% from the field (52-87). Maine shot 58% (49-85) and 39% (13-33) from three-point range.
The Red Claws return home to face the Iowa Energy on Friday at 7 p.m. and Raptors 905 on Sunday at 5 p.m. Tickets for both games at the Expo are on sale now by calling 207-210-6655 or visiting MaineRedClaws.com.
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