Maine Red Claws’ Andrew White drives around Greensboro’s Charles Cooke in third quarter at the Portland Expo on Sunday. (Jill Brady/Portland Press Herald)
The Maine Red Claws made 23 shots from 3-point range, one shy of the franchise record, and beat the Greensboro Swarm 135-111 to snap a two-game losing streak Sunday at the Portland Expo.
The Red Claws, the NBA G League affiliate of the Boston Celtics, played much like their parent club, taking a lot of long-range shots (45) while looking for an open teammate. The Celtics average 30.9 3-point shots per game, 10th in the NBA.
The Red Claws finished with 35 assists on 47 field goals made.
“I think we got in a rhythm and we all played off each other,” said Andrew White, who was 3 for 7 from 3-point range and finished with 16 points. “I think it was an unselfish game from everybody across the board, and that always helps. I think today was one of our better days executing (offensively).”
Josh Adeyeye led the Red Claws (5-3) with 22 points. Jabari Bird and Daniel Dixon each added 20. Devin Williams had a double-double (10 points, 10 rebounds) for Maine.
Eight of 10 players made at least one 3-pointer, led by Adeyeye and Dixon, who made six.
“We have a lot of shooters on this team and on any given night any of us can pull the trigger,” said Adeyeye. “Having a lot 3-point shooters, we are bound to hit a lot.
Maine led 64-57 at intermission and was able to stretch to its lead to 17 points by the end of the third quarter. Adeyeye hit a 3-pointer 1:23 into the third quarter to push Maine’s lead to 69-57. The Swarm (3-6) quickly cut it to nine on a 3-pointer by Marcus Paige, but Bird answered with a 3 of his own and the lead never dipped below 10 points again.
Maine was 7 for 12 from behind the arc in the third quarter and led 100-83.
“When those guys have it going it’s obviously easy to get up by as much as they did,” Maine coach Brandon Bailey said. “We can’t expect to make those shots every night, but we had the ball moving a lot today.
“That’s who these guys are — they are great players, great competitors. It’s good players succeeding at what they do best. That’s what we like to do. It’s what (Celtic Coach) Brad (Stevens) likes to do — putting good players in position to succeed.”
Maine stretched its lead to 127-102 on a 3-pointer by Adeyeye with 3:36 left in the game to eclipse their season-high for points in a game.
“I am proud of our guys tonight (both) offensively and defensively and the way we handled business,” Adeyeye said.
Maine Red Claws’ Jabari Bird stuffs one in during the second quarter against the Greensboro Swarm at the Portland Expo on Sunday. (Jill Brady/Portland Press Herald)
Maine Red Claws’ Drew Barham wrestles for the rebound with Greensboro’s Charles Cooke and L.G. Gill in the second quarter against at the Portland Expo on Sunday. (Jill Brady/Portland Press Herald)
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