Strong 3rd Quarter Lifts Celtics Over Raptors 905
By Maine Celtics Staff /December 10, 2023
)
PORTLAND, ME – The Maine Celtics out-scored Raptors 905 35-20 in the 3rd period, turning the game into a rout en route to a 130-112 win at the Portland Expo.
Maine (7-5) scored 130 points for a second straight game, both wins. The Celtics were led by DJ Steward with 24 points. Two-Way guard JD Davison finished with 23 points and 12 assists in the win. Jordan Walsh tallied 20 points for a second straight game, while Jordan Schakel paced the early minutes finishing with 16 points and 7 boards. Taylor Funk added 14 points off the bench, and Two-Way center Neemias Queta scored 10 points in his Expo debut.
Raptors 905 (1-11) was led by former Maine Celtic Jaysean Paige with 24 points. Kevin Obanor added 20 in the loss.
Both teams started the game shooting very well – Schakel dropped in a pair of three-pointers, but the short-handed 905 continued to keep pace early. Maine ended the 1st quarter on a run, taking a 37-31 lead after one. The 2nd quarter was less frantic – Toronto Raptors assignee Gradey Dick kept the pressure on, dropping in two threes. Still, Maine was able to maintain a 65-54 lead at the break.
In the 3rd, the Celtics took the game over. Steward scored three three-pointers in the period, while Schakel, Davison and Funk all caught fire as well. Maine out-scored Raptors 905 35-20 in the 3rd, and shot 7-10 from downtown in the quarter. Maine extended the lead to as high as 29 points in the 4th quarter, with the 905 making a strong run scoring 38 points in the period. It was too much of a deficit to overcome, as Maine cruised to the win.
The Celtics shot 53.6% (45-84) from the field in the game, including 52.8% (19-36) from three-point range, a season best. Maine also went 12-14 from the free throw line. Raptors 905 shot 46.7% (42-90) from the floor, 40.5% (17-42) from downtown, and 8-11 from the charity stripe.
Maine has two more home games before heading to the NBA G League Winter Showcase in Orlando. The Celtics take on College Park on Friday, Dec. 15 at 6:30 p.m. and then again on Saturday, Dec. 16 at 7 p.m. Tickets are available for purchase by visiting MaineCeltics.com
)