Warriors Stop Red Claws
January 9, 2015 - NBA G League (G League)
Maine Celtics News Release
Portland - Jan. 9, 2015 - The Maine Red Claws, presented by Unum, fell to the Santa Cruz Warriors 101-88 in the first game of a back to back double-header against the Warriors at the Portland Expo. The loss drops the Red Claws to 15-4 on the season and 0-4 all-time against the Warriors.
Aaron Craft led the way for Santa Cruz with a career high 22 points, higher than any point total in his career, both in the D-League and in college at Ohio State. The Red Claws were out-scored by the Warriors in each quarter during tonight's game, with the Warriors tallying their biggest lead of 19 points in a strong first quarter. On defense, the Red Claws struggled to grab rebounds recording only 25 defensive rebounds, compared to the Warriors 43. Three pointers were the Red Claws strategy going into tonight's game, but they struggled to convert three point attempts, making only 12 of 36.
Chris Babb (18 points, 1 steal) led the Red Claws in the first quarter, with 11 of his total points in the period. Babb led all scorers in the first quarter, but was closely followed by Aaron Craft (22 points, 5 assists, and 4 steals) who netted 8 points in the first quarter. Craft scored a career high 22 points, which led all scorers on the night.
Rodney McGruder made his first career D-League start for the Red Claws tonight after being out all season with a groin injury, suffered in pre-season. McGruder had an immediate effect in his first minute on the court, assisting a Chris Babb three pointer. He finished with two points and one assist on the night during 15:23 on the court.
The Warriors had five players scoring in double-digits. Led by Craft's 22 points, James Michael McAdo (17 points, 1 assist, and 4 blocked shots) and Sean Kilpatrick (17 points, 5 assists, and 1 steal) followed Craft's scoring. Also in double-digits for the Warriors were Ognjen Kuzmic (12 points, 3 assists, and 3 blocked shots), on assignment from the Golden State Warriors, and Taylor Griffin (12 points, 1 assist, and 2 steals).
Second-time NBA D-League Performer of the Week, Tim Frazier (23 points, 8 assists, and 4 steals), led all scorers on the night with 23 points. Frazier was followed by three other Red Claws who scored in double digits tonight. Chris Babb's strong first quarter performance led to 18 total points on the night, with 2 assists and 1 steal. Omari Johnson (14 points, 1 assist, and 1 blocked shot) and Asauhn Dixon-Tatum (11 points) also finished in double digits tonight.
The Red Claws will have a chance to redeem themselves and break the winless streak against the Warriors tomorrow night with a 7pm tip-off at the Portland Expo.
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