Celtics take four game winning streak on the road

PORTLAND, Maine. - After going 4-0 at the Portland Expo, the Maine Celtics take their winning ways to Westchester for two games against the Knicks this weekend.

Maine (4-3) won their fourth consecutive game and improved to above .500 in the win column for the first time this season after beating Delaware (1-4) 129-119 on Sunday afternoon. Maine dished out a franchise record 43 assists as the Celtics erased a 23-point deficit to beat the Blue Coats.

"The energy at the Expo has been there. It's been a good test for our squad," said Celtics Head Coach Phil Pressey. "Being at home, being able to withstand being down and coming back in both games against Delaware. It tells you a lot about a team. Tells you about how much character your guys have and this was a good experience for us being at home."

Ron Harper Jr. led the way for Maine with 26 points, shooting 50% (11-22) from the floor in the win. Kameron Warrens scored a career-high 22 points off the bench and knocked down a team-best five threes, going 5-8 from beyond the arc. Kendall Brown scored 18 points on an efficient 8-11 day from the field and led the Celtics with nine assists. Max Shulga chipped in 17 points and Aaron Scott added a career-high 16 in the victory. Led by Scott and Warrens, Maine's bench provided 53 points in the win. Maine was without Jalen Bridges and Hayden Gray on Sunday.

"I'm proud of my guys. We came out there and executed at a high level," said Ron Harper Jr. "We were able to fight back without two key guys in our rotations, and guys came in and stepped up and filled that void really well. It's all about how you respond."

The Maine Celtics started the season 0-3, with all of those games being played on the road. Two of the losses came by a combined four points to the Greensboro Swarm. Since returning home to the Expo, players and coaches say the team has begun to play to their identity. They're forcing more turnovers, scoring in transition, and knocking down shots.

"We're getting acclimated and feeling what everyone does and how we can mesh," said Kendall Brown. "We got a good run, a good stride going and that is what we've been doing at home. It feels good we just have to continue to do it."

Maine will play Westchester on Friday and again on Sunday after celebrating the Thanksgiving holiday on the road. The Knicks are 1-3 in Tip-Off Tournament play, and will face Delaware on Wednesday before their date with the Celtics. Maine is currently third in the East division as of Tuesday, trailing first place Raptors 905 and second place Greensboro. A pair of winning weeks at home has helped Maine climb the standings, and Harper was recognized as the G League's top performer. Harper was quick to credit his team for the honor and the Two-Way player remains focused on leading the Celtics on a nightly basis when he's with the team.

"Tough, together. Two words that resonate the most with our team," Harper said. "We want to be the toughest team, the most together team, and we want to be the smartest team. That's the identity that we're building ourselves on and it's up to us to bring that each and every night."

Maine will play the Westchester Knicks on Friday night at 7 p.m. and will broadcast live on Roku. Sunday's game will tip-off at 3 p.m. on NBA TV.