Game Preview - Maine at Long Island - Jan. 10, 2024

Game details: 

Matchup: Maine Celtics (2-3) at Long Island Nets (3-2) 

Location: Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum; Uniondale, N.Y. 

Tip-off: 7:00 PM EST 

Streaming: ESPN+ 

The Maine Celtics and Long Island Nets are back in action tonight, finishing off a two-game series that began with a 115-110 victory for the Nets two nights ago. 

Coming into tonight’s matchup with three-straight losses after beginning the regular season with a pair of wins, the Celtics are looking to get back on the right track. Through four regular season games, Maine’s offense ranks 18th in the league – down from 12^th during the Showcase – and its defense is 12^th, though the team’s defensive rating has remained almost the same. The Celtics’ prowess on the offensive glass has carried over from the Showcase at least, currently leading the G League in offensive rebounding percentage. There’s a foundation for the Celtics to build on as they try to end this skid. 

Breaking down the Nets: 

Noah Clowney, Jalen Wilson, and Kennedy Chandler paced Long Island’s offense last time out, combining for 73 points. Clowney and Wilson each grabbed double-digit rebounds and Chandler approached a triple-double with seven rebounds and nine assists. Beyond those three, no other Net scored in double figures or made more than four field goals – the trio of young prospect did the lion’s share of the heavy lifting two nights ago. 

Though Maine is one of the best rebounding teams in the league, the Nets dominated on the boards to the tune of a 61-47 advantage, including 20-17 on the offensive glass. The Celtics shot 40.8% on 103 total field goal attempts, typically an acceptable efficiency rate at that kind of pace and volume – unless the other team is generating extra possessions, second chance points and dictating the tempo and flow of the game. Maine needs to corral a few more rebounds tonight and clean up some preventable lapses defending in transition. 

Keys to the game: 

They’re “free” for a reason: Missed free throws crushed the Celtics last time out – a 6-12 mark from the stripe cost the team 12 points in a five-point loss. Davison went 1-5 and both Drew Peterson and Kylor Kelley left points at the line. Free throws are critical at every level of basketball, but especially so in the G League with the 1-for-2 rule. 

Davison stuffing the stat sheet: The second-year point guard put up 23 points, four rebounds, nine assists, four blocks and three steals in Monday’s loss, leaving his mark on both ends of the floor. The Celtics are at their best when Davison is powering the offense and defending with aggression at the point of attack.