Maine prepared for 'high stakes' contest with Salt Lake City

ORLANDO, Fla. - The Maine Celtics will battle the Salt Lake City Stars in the quarterfinals of the NBA G League Winter Showcase Tournament on Friday in Orlando, Florida.

After finishing the Tip-Off Tournament with a 9-5 record, Maine earned the #7 seed and advanced to face the #2 Salt Lake City Stars (12-2). The game will broadcast live on ESPNU at 2:30 p.m.

The highlight of Maine's Tip-Off Tournament was the team's franchise record nine-game winning streak, which powered the Celtics towards a berth in the eight-team tournament. During those first 14 games, Maine went 6-1 at home in the Portland Expo, and proved to be one of the top defensive teams in the NBA G League.

"Our identity is something that we've been pushing the first part of the season so our job is to instill our identity into the game," said Maine Head Coach Phil Pressey.

Maine is third in the G League in defensive rating (106.2), fifth in blocks (6.2) and first in opponent points scored on fast break (9.6). That defense will be put to the test against the top scoring team in the NBA G League in Salt Lake. The Stars have scored over 140 points four times this season, including a 174-146 win over Rip City on December 11. Through the first 14 games, Salt Lake City is averaging 131.9 PPG and is second in field goal percentage (50.2%).

"Just do what we can to win. We got a good group," said Celtics Two-Way player Ron Harper Jr. "We have a bunch of good guys and we have to hammer away at the gameplan, trust in what Coach Phil (Pressey) and the coaching staff is telling us and go out and execute." 

Harper Jr. continues to be one of the most prolific scorers in the G League. The fourth-year guard is first in scoring at 26.9 PPG and is shooting 40.2% from three. Harper is no stranger to the Winter Showcase, and knows firsthand how important the opportunity is for G League players. After playing for Maine during the Tip-Off Tournament during the 2024-25 season, Harper Jr. earned a NBA Call-Up with the Detroit Pistons just four games after the Winter Showcase.

"Knowing how it is how here. The intensity is up a notch, especially playing for the money," Harper said. "I feel like experience will help me guide these guys and try to keep them prepared, keep them on their toes and ready for the next challenge... "We are trying to showcase that and get guys opportunities. That is important to us as a team. We're one big family so if one person eats, we all eat."

Maine is eager to have Harper and fellow Celtics Two-Way Player Amari Williams back at full strength with the team this weekend in Florida. Harper missed the last three games due to injury and Williams was on a minutes restriction in Maine's final Tip-Off Tournament game against Raptors 905 last Sunday.

"With those guys, as a coach, you feel more comfortable," Pressey said. "But having other guys step up when they weren't here makes our team stronger. It will have to be a team win."

Having Williams back at full strength will be key for Maine's chances at slowing down the strong Salt Lake City frontcourt that features fellow former Kentucky Wildcat Oscar Tshiebwe and Mo Bamba. Tshiebwe is averaging 14.6 points, 15.9 rebounds (leads the G League), 1.4 assists, 2.1 steals and 1.0 blocks per game for the Stars. Bamba is averaging 17.6 points, 11.7 rebounds (3rd in G League), 1.6 assists and 3.0 blocks (2nd in G League) per game.

"Heart, determination, execution and relentlessness," Harper said. "That is what I'm thinking about and what I preach to the team at practice. Ultimately, I hope those core values lead us to a win."

As of the eight teams to play in the G League Winter Showcase Tournament, Maine has earned the chance to compete for the Winter Showcase Championship and a $100,000 cash prize. That prize, in addition to the opportunity to play in front of executives from around the league make this a high stakes affair for the Celtics in Florida.

"Everybody wants to play for the money, everybody wants to make the tournament so we got a great opportunity and it's up to us what we're going to do with it," Harper said.

"The bigger the challenge, the bigger the reward," Pressey said. "They understand the assignment, what we are playing for, it's high-stakes. To be able to win some money is a good thing. But you're also performing in front of front office executives and other teams so I know guys are prepared." 

If Maine beats Salt Lake City, they will play the winner between #3 Austin and #6 Stockton on Sunday in the Winter Showcase Tournament semifinals.