Game Preview: Celtics Wrap Up Tip-Off Tournament Against Raptors 905

PORTLAND, Maine. - The Maine Celtics will host Raptors 905 on Sunday in the final game of the NBA G League Tip-Off Tournament at the Portland Expo.

Maine (6-7) and Raptors 905 (3-10) both did not qualify for the tournament portion of the Winter Showcase, which begins on December 18. The Celtics look to wrap up the Tip-Off Tournament portion of the season on a high note after earning a 120-100 road win on Wednesday at Long Island.

The Celtics won the previous matchup with 905, 121-114 behind a career performance from Two-Way Player Drew Peterson. Peterson scored a career-high 33 points, six rebounds, and six assists while JD Davison notched 18 points and nine assists. Davison continues to be one of the most prolific playmakers in the G League, averaging 27.3 points and 8.8 assists per game this season.

Raptors 905 is led by two-way players Jamison Battle, A.J.Lawson, and Ulrich Chomche. Chomche is the only 905 Two-Way Player to appear in 10 games. Battle played four and Lawson was recently added to 905 this week as a Two-Way Player. Lawson was averaging 24.0 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 2.6 assists this season with Long Island. The most consistent threat for 905 during the G League Tip-Off Tournament has been Kennedy Chandler, who’s posting averages of 19.2 points and 7.5 assists.

905 is looking to bounce back after suffering a 132-109 loss to Delaware. Lawson led 905 with 21 points and three assists in his season debut.

Ja'Kobe Walter, Jamal Shead, and Johnathan Mogbo have joined 905 on assignment from the Toronto Raptors.

RON’S RETURN: Celtics Guard Ron Harper Jr.’s career in the G League began as a Two-Way Player with the Toronto Raptors organization from 2022 to 2024. Harper Jr. Appeared in just six games last season with 905 before suffering a season-ending injury. Harper Jr. missed the previous game against 905 due to injury and has not played since November 30 against Delaware. London Johnson and Donald Carey Jr. are expected to be out with injury on Sunday.

CRASHING THE GLASS: Maine has paced the league in offensive rebounds, averaging over 15 a game through the first quarter of the season.

BLOCK PARTY: Maine is first in the G League in blocks per game (8.8), led by Hason Ward, who's 2.9 blocks per contest are among the leagues best. The rookie’s 21 blocked shots in the first six games of the season is the most by a Maine Celtics player through the first six games of his career since Jordan Mickey in 2015.  

TURNOVER BATTLE: Maine is one of the best teams at protecting the ball in the G League. The Celtics currently average under 13 turnovers per game, the least in the league. They’ll face plenty of pressure from Raptors 905, who have consistently ranked inside the top-5 in steals per game. 905's Charlie Brown Jr. is the G League's steals leader, averaging 3.8 per contest, one steal more than the next player in the season statistics.

SHARE THE ROCK: Raptors 905 are averaging over 26 assists per game, which ranks inside the top-10 among G League teams. Two players for 905 average seven APG or more in Kennedy Chandler and Jamal Shead.  Meanwhile, Maine’s Davison is fourth in the G League with 8.8 assists per game.

THE ROAD AHEAD: Sunday is the final game of the NBA G League Tip-Off Tournament. Next week, the Celtics will travel to Orlando, Florida to take part in the Winter Showcase beginning on December 18.

WHERE TO WATCH: It's the annual Holiday Game on Sunday so Celtics fans be sure to wear something festive. Maine and 905 will tip-off at 1:00 p.m. EST at the Portland Expo. The game will stream live on NBAGLeague.com and air on NBC Sports Boston.