Maine returns from All-Star Break on red-hot winning streak

PORTLAND, Maine. - Riding a seven-game winning streak, the red-hot Maine Celtics return to action on Thursday afternoon against the Indiana Mad Ants.

Due to the NBA All-Star Break, the Maine Celtics have not played a game since their thrilling 107-106 victory over the Long Island Nets on February 13. Maine has not lost a game since January 26. 

 Maine is currently 13-9 in the Regular Season and sits in sixth in the Eastern Conference standings. The top six teams in each respective conference at the end of the Regular Season advance to the postseason.

After a hectic start to the Regular Season, Maine has just 12 games remaining, and just two games left to be played at home in the Portland Expo. Including Thursday's game against Indiana, Maine will play nine consecutive games on the road. The Regular Season wraps up on March 26 in Westchester against the Knicks.

Maine Celtics guard and Two-Way Player JD Davison returns to the team after taking part in some of the NBA All-Star Weekend Festivities. Davison participated in the Castrol NBA Rising Stars Challenge in San Francisco, where the third-year guard recorded five points, three rebounds, and one assists in two games with Team G League.

Orlando Magic Two-Way Player and now three-time NBA Slam Dunk Contest Champion Mac McClung shared some high praise for Davison during All-Star Weekend.

“I think he's the front-runner for MVP right now in the G League,” McClung said to media. “I enjoy competing with him every time we match up, and he's a heck of a player. I hope he gets his chance soon.” 

Davison is the first Maine Celtics player to participate in the Rising Stars event, and the first Boston Celtic since Jayson Tatum in 2019. During the month of February, Davison is averaging 30.0 points, 6.5 rebounds, 9.0 assists per game.

“That’s the work I’ve been putting in, honestly,” Davison said. “You can see it on the court. I’m just trying to do my job every day, night in and night out. I appreciate Mac for that, but I’m just trying to do my job, that’s about it.”

Davison doing his job is a key reason Maine has won seven games in a row. In addition to his offensive production, Davison is leading a ramped-up Maine Celtics defense that has held opponents to less than 100 points four times during the successful stretch. Rebounding has also been key to Maine's success this year. The Celtics are 12-2 this season when they outrebound their opponent and are fourth in the G League in rebounding during their winning streak. 

It's been a total team effort that's helped Maine truly embody the team's motto of 'grit.' In the last seven games, ten players are averaging eight points or more per game. That total team offense has helped the Celtics eclipse 120 points in three games during the streak. Overall, Maine is 9-1 this season when they score 120 points or more. 

Maine resumes play with a tough test against the Indiana Mad Ants (13-7), who are currently in second place in the Eastern Conference standings. The Celtics will look to match the franchise's record longest winning streak of eight games, set in 2014-2015. 

 The Celtics previously played the Mad Ants on January 7 in a 118-115 loss. Davison led Maine with 27 points, 10 assists, and six rebounds in the defeat. The Mad Ants topped Maine with three players scoring 20 points or more, led by 27 points and 8 rebounds from Enrique Freeman. Quenton Jackson and RayJ Dennis each scored 23 against the Celtics in their first meeting. Indiana boasts one of the most efficient offenses in the G League, ranking second in field goal percentage (48.2%). They're also fourth in offensive rating (113.0). Maine is eighth overall in net rating. 

WHERE TO WATCH: Maine returns to action on February 20 against the Indiana Mad Ants at 12:30 p.m. The game will broadcast live on ESPN+.