After squandering double-digit leads in each of their previous three games, the Maine Red Claws finally held on to win their first G League basketball game of 2018.
Barely.
Celtics rookie Guerschon Yabusele scored 32 points as the Claws beat the Austin Spurs 111-108 Monday night before a crowd of 1,658 at the Portland Expo.
The victory, in a game twice postponed by winter weather that prevented the Spurs (15-12) from traveling to Portland earlier this month, snapped a three-game losing streak for the Claws (13-13).
Trey Davis came off the bench to score 22 points for the Claws, who took a 20-point lead into the fourth quarter only to be held without a field goal for the next 7:30.
Jeff Ledbetter connected on 8 of 16 3-point attempts and finished with 30 points for Austin, which pulled within two twice in the fourth quarter and missed a tying 3-point attempt in the final seconds.
Maine point guard Kadeem Allen had 18 points and seven assists to celebrate his 24th birthday. Anthony Bennett added 15 points and 11 rebounds. L.J. Peak contributed 11 points and made 3 of 4 free-throw attempts in the final minute to preserve the lead.
The Red Claws return to action Thursday night at the Expo in the first of a two-game home series against Westchester.
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