Game Preview - Maine at Raptors 905 - Jan. 31, 2024
By Maine Celtics Staff /January 31, 2024
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Game details:
Matchup: Maine Celtics (7-7) at Raptors 905 (5-9)
Location: Paramount Fine Foods Centre; Mississauga, Ontario
Tipoff: 7:30 PM EST
Streaming: NBAGLeague.com, NBA TV Canada
Tonight, the Maine Celtics round out their final international road trip of the season as they look to complete a two-game sweep of Raptors 905.
Last night, the Celtics took a 111-103 win on the backs of Drew Peterson and DJ Steward. Brandon Slater added 16 points, Jordan Bowden scored 12 and Jordan Walsh had 10 and seven rebounds, rounding out the team effort used to earn last night’s win.
Breaking down last night’s win versus the Raptors:
The 905’s recipe for success was laid bare last time out. In the first quarter, the Raptors pushed the pace and got the Celtics out of the flow of their offense. Such a low-scoring quarter typically wouldn’t indicate a fast pace, but the 905 dictating tempo resulted in a 1-10 mark from distance in the first for Maine. After one, the 905 led, 23-21. From that point onward – up until Simmons’ last-game explosion – the Celtics outscored the Raptors 83-70.
The biggest sticking point; Maine’s second-chance opportunities. Currently the #1 offensive rebounding team in the league, generating extra possessions – particularly those that lead to kick-outs for spot-up threes, or putbacks for the rebounder – are crucial aspects of Maine’s success. The Celtics were +13 in second chance points (20-7) in a game they won by eight. The math says those offensive rebounds were the difference between winning and losing.
Justise Winslow showed exactly why he spent nine seasons playing in the NBA last night. The 10th pick in the 2015 NBA Draft dropped a G League career-high 31 points on 13-19 shooting to go with 11 rebounds, including 10 points during the fourth quarter when the 905 outscored Maine 35-30. Kira Lewis Jr., who is on assignment and was recently acquired from the New Orleans Pelicans in the trade that sent OG Anunoby to the New York Knicks, had just nine points on 4-13 shooting last night. The Celtics did a great job keeping him out of rhythm and not allowing him space as a shooter or driver. Same goes for the coverage on the 905’s best spot-up shooter, Javon Freeman-Liberty, who went 4-14 and 1-6 from beyond the arc.
Keys to the game:
More of the same: Easier said than done, but following the blueprint set last night should lead to another win for Maine. The Celtics shot 16-43 (37.2%) from deep, outrebounded the 905 to the tune of 57-43, and got 38 points from the reserves. Head coach Blaine Mueller and company have a few data points to work with tonight.
They’re “free” for a reason!: The Celtics drew 18 free throws last night but only hit 11 of them – especially given the 1-for-2 rule in the G League, efficient free throw shooting is critical. Never know when those early-game misses will come back to haunt you.