Game Preview: Celtics Start Showcase Against Skyhawks

ORLANDO, Fla. - The Maine Celtics play their first of two games at the G League Winter Showcase on Friday night against the College Park Skyhawks.

This is the third time these two teams have met, with the Skyhawks winning the previous two matchups in College Park. Both Maine and College Park did not qualify for the tournament portion of the NBA G League Winter Showcase, and will play two games this weekend in Orlando.

Maine (6-8) finished pod play in the East division in sixth and the Skyhawks (8-6) were fourth. Both teams finished pod play with a loss and are looking to build some momentum ahead of the start of the regular season.

All eyes will be on one of the G League's top playmakers, JD Davison, on Friday night. The last time Davison saw the Skyhawks, he dropped a career-high 46 points in a 107-103 loss. Davison was 16-26 from the field in the historic performance, which was the fifth most points scored in a single game ever by a Maine Celtic. The third-year guard and Two-Way Player is third in the G League in points per game (27.8) and fourth in assists (8.5) per game.

That Celtics team was shorthanded due to injuries and players called to Boston, but reinforcements have arrived in time for the Showcase. Two-Way Players Drew Peterson and Anton Watson will join Davison, and Baylor Scheierman is also on assignment with Maine. Ron Harper Jr. and Jay Scrubb were also sidelined with injury in the previous two dates with the Skyhawks, and will be back for Maine's two games this weekend.

While Maine may have some more firepower on offense, they will battle a College Park side that once again is among the G League's best defensively. The Skyhawks are sixth in the G League in opponents points per game, and held Maine to under 100 points in one of the previous meetings. College Park is also fourth in defensive rating in the G League.

The Skyhawks possess a combined 298 games of NBA experience between Tony Bradley, Dominick Barlow, Kevon Harris, Seth Lundy, and Keaton Wallace. College Park is led by first-year head coach Steve Klei.

GOOD FROM DEEP: College Park made 24 3-points in a single game this season, which is the second most in an NBA G League game so far. Maine is seventh in 3-pointers attempted, averaging 43.1 per contest and ninth in shots made from distance. The Celtics are fifth in the league in field goals attempted, with over 90 per clip.  

DEFENSIVE MENTALITY: The Skyhawks are among the league leaders in defensive metrics. College Park currently ranks fourth in defensive rating at 102.8. College Park has held their opponents under 100 points in four out of eight games to start the season.

REBOUNDING BATTLE: Maine and College Park are among the best in the G League in rebounds, but on different sides of the ball. The Celtics are second in the G League in offensive rebounding with 15.1 boards per game while College Park is sixth in defensive rebounds (34.9).  

SHOWCASE: The 2024 NBA G League Winter Showcase is the league’s premier in-season scouting opportunity. The 20th edition of the Showcase runs from December 19-22 at the Hyatt Regency Orlando and the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. Overall, 31 games will played over four days in Orlando. The Westchester Knicks won the Winter Showcase in 2023.

WHERE TO WATCH: Maine tips-off against the Skyhawks at 8:30 p.m. in Orlando Florida. The game will be available to watch live on the Roku Sports Channel.