Maine matches franchise's longest winning streak

PORTLAND, Maine. - The Maine Celtics have a chance to make history on Sunday when they attempt to win their ninth consecutive game.

The Celtics beat the Indiana Mad Ants 104-97 on Thursday to win their eighth straight game, and tie the franchise record for longest winning streak in a season. Maine (14-9) faces the Memphis Hustle (8-9) on Sunday.

It's been a decade since a Maine team won eight games in a row. Known as the Maine Red Claws in 2014-15, that team previously sent the record for longest winning streak in what was one of the most successful seasons in franchise history.

The 2014-15 Maine Red Claws began their campaign by winning 15 of their first 18 games to start the season. The eight game winning streak was right in the middle of that stretch, a record that stood alone until now. Led by Head Coach Scott Morrison, Maine finished the regular season 35-15 and earned the top seed in the Eastern Conference. Morrison would later be named NBA G League Coach of the Year.

Tim Frazier was the catalyst for Maine that season. In 41 games, Frazier averaged 16.1 points, 7.1 rebounds, 9.5 assists, and 1.7 steals per game enroute to winning NBA G League MVP and Rookie of the Year honors. Frazier was also named a NBA G League All Star, was an All Defensive Second Team selection, an All Rookie First Team Selection, and earned Performer of the Week honors four times. Frazier earned an NBA contract with the Portland Trailblazers in March 2015, just before the start of the G League postseason.

11 total players average double-digit scoring that season. Key contributors who played 40 games or more included Omari Johnson and Chris Babb. Johnson averaged 15.6 points and 6.7 rebounds per game. Babb tallied 15.4 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per contest. Babb was a G League All Star selection, an All G League Second Team selection, and was selected to the All Defensive Third Team. Six NBA players were assigned to Maine that season, including Dwight Powell, Marcus Smart, Phil Pressey, and Andre Dawkins.

Maine's pursuit of a championship was halted in the first round of the playoffs, when the Red Claws were swept by the Fort Wayne Mad Ants in two games. The Mad Ants would continue their run all the way to the G League Finals, where they fell to the Santa Cruz Warriors. The Golden State Warriors won the NBA Finals that year as well, and 2015 remains the only time that a franchise's NBA team and G League team both won the championship. Last season was the first time that Maine has ever reached the NBA G League Finals.

The Celtics current winning streak comes on the heels of the team's longest losing streak of the season, which spanned four games from January 18 to January 26. Maine has relied on team basketball and a 'gritty' mentality to find a way to go unbeaten in the month of February. During the winning streak, Maine has held their opponent to less than 100 points five times. They've scored 120 points or more three times. And like Frazier back in 2014-15, Maine is led by a dynamic guard who is sure to be a NBA G League MVP candidate in JD Davison. The all-time franchise leader in nearly every major statistical category leads Maine this season with 25.1 points, 4.9 rebounds, 7.7 assists, and 1.4 steals per game.

Maine's long road trip continues on Sunday against the Memphis Hustle. Tip-off is scheduled for 6 p.m. and the game will be broadcast live here.