"We want more." Maine ready for rematch with Westchester

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. - After putting on one of their best performances of the season, the Maine Celtics quickly turn their attention to the Westchester Knicks in the second round of the NBA G League Playoffs on Thursday night.

On Tuesday night, Maine never trailed and led by as many as 36 as the Celtics rolled past the Capital City Go-Go 115-95 in the first round of the G League Playoffs at the Portland Expo. JD Davison poured in 38 points and Maine buried 20 three-pointers, a new franchise record for made three-pointers in a playoff game. Davison made seven shots from distance a new career-high for the recently crowned Kia NBA G League MVP.

"I saw a group that was really dialed in to the game plan," Maine Head Coach Tyler Lashbrook said. Maine had a few days in between the conclusion of the Regular Season and their first-round matchup to really sharpen their focus on the coaching staff's gameplan. "Our guys had a high-level focus during those days and a real attentiveness and executed at a high level."

The Celtics were red-hot in the first quarter from beyond the arc, connecting on 9-of-11 shots from distance. Maine shot 51.2% (42-82) from the floor and 45.5% (20-44) from three overall. Maine turned the ball over just 10 times in the game.

"We got everybody prepared. Everyone was locked in, and it carried into the game and guys made shots," Davison said postgame. Ironically, the last time Maine played was one week ago in a 122-113 defeat at the hands of the Knicks. "Throw that game out the window," Davison told the media about the Westchester loss on Tuesday. "Save it for the next game and guys made shots (Tuesday) and I tip my hat to them."

Maine came out the gate on Tuesday with a renewed focus and energy as the Celtics narrow their focus on returning to the NBA G League Finals after coming up short a year ago. Davison, Drew Peterson, James Banks III, Jordan Schakel, and Boston Celtics assignment player Jordan Walsh were all a part of that run. That continuity looked like it helped the Celtics begin another postseason run on the right foot in a dominant victory over the Go-Go.

"Every guy came in and bought in, locked in," Davison said. "The guys that were on the team last year are helping this year and are bought in."

It wasn't just the lights out shooting that was on display in the first round, it was a championship effort by multiple guys in big moments. Schakel won a key loose ball by diving on the floor and earning a jump ball (which he won). Despite leading by over 30 points, Davison chased down Capital City's JT Thor to steal another possession for Maine. It was the entire team finding a way to impact winning when it matters the most.

"You got to want it more. Who wants it more? Who wants to play defense?" said Banks III. You had Schakel diving on the floor, guys going for rebounds, guys doing little stuff that creates that cohesive unit on defense. It's been working for us."

Those who have followed the Maine Celtics this season know that it hasn't always been a smooth ride. The team was 8-8 through Tip-Off Tournament play and had multiple transactions that plagued the team in the middle of the season. Maine began the Regular Season with a 6-9 record, including a four-game losing streak. Maine bounced back in a big way with an eight-game winning streak and has become one of the most dangerous teams in the G League since, earning the 3-seed in the Eastern Conference.

"Trusting each other, being through some tough times this year as a team and you make it out," Schakel said. "Individually, everyone's been through tough stuff. We've had ups and downs, but to go through that gives us confidence."

Now just over a week since the conclusion of the Regular Season in New York, Maine will meet the Westchester Knicks for the fourth time this season when the two teams battle in White Plains on Thursday night. The Celtics are 1-3 against the Knicks this season, and they're hungry for another crack at the Eastern Conference's second seed and G League Winter Showcase Champions. As soon as the Capital City game concluded, Maine made it clear it was time to turn the attention to Westchester.

"I think everybody wanted to play them when we saw that we would have a chance to play them. It's time to watch the film and get ready," Davison said postgame.

In that last meeting on March 26th, Peterson led Maine with 32 points including 9 made threes and a franchise record 21 three-point attempts, 12 rebounds, and 7 assists. Davison added 21 points and 10 assists, while fellow Two-Way Miles Norris scored 20 points in the loss. New York Knicks assignment player Pacome Dadiet led Westchester with 25 points, including 7-11 from three-point range. Moses Brown, who was recently named the NBA G League Player of the Month, finished with 20 points and 21 rebounds in the win.

Brown leads one of the best rebounding teams in the entire G League during the Regular Season. Westchester is first in total rebounding (50.7 RPG) first in offensive rebounding (15.3 RPG) and second in defensive rebounding (35.4 RPG). Brown is second in rebounding in the G League, averaging nearly 17 boards per contest. Maine is seventh in total rebounding.

"It's a physical challenge. Our guys know it will be a war and winning those margins will be tough because they make it difficult for you. We're excited for that challenge," Lashbrook said.

"We're here to win," Banks III said. "We want more you feel me, we want more."

Maine will battle Westchester at 7 p.m. Eastern at the Westchester County Center in White Plains, New York. The game will broadcast live on Tubi.