PORTLAND, MAINE — The Maine Celtics beat the Faculty Park Skyhawks on Thursday evening 123-122 because of some late-game heroics from JD Davison (36 factors, 8 rebounds, 6 assists), an excellent all-around sport from Baylor Scheierman (23 factors, 11 assists), and regular contributions from Anton Watson (19 factors, 8 rebounds).
With the win, the Maine Celtics improved to 5-5 on the common season and extra importantly, the Celtics’ G-League affiliate continues to show that a number of gamers appear prepared for NBA minutes.
Listed below are 4 takeaways from a cold Thursday evening on the Portland Expo.
Is JD Davison getting too good for the G-League?
JD Davison, as he has been for a lot of the previous three seasons, was probably the most dominant participant on the ground. An uncharacteristic late-game turnover almost price the Celtics the sport — however he hit a three-pointer off the glass to ship the sport to time beyond regulation.
Then, in a first-to-7-points Elam Ending in time beyond regulation, Davison sunk the game-winning floater. He completed the evening with a reasonably ridiculous statline: 36 factors (16-28 FG), 8 rebounds, 6 assists, and three steals.
In his third season in Maine, Davison achieved every thing one might hope to attain within the G-League. He’s the franchise’s all-time main scorer in factors, assists, and steals.
And at 22 years outdated, he’s having his greatest yr but, averaging 25 factors per sport on 47.4% taking pictures, alongside 7.7 assists and 4.6 rebounds.
Maine Celtics head coach Tyler Lashbrook complimented Davison’s intelligence after the win.
“The factor that may shock different folks is simply how sensible he’s — as a result of he’s such a quiet particular person off the courtroom,” he mentioned. “He’s one in every of, if he’s not the, smartest participant I’ve ever been round when it comes to managing conditions and understanding coverages and understanding reads and understanding conditions. He’s a extremely high-level IQ basketball participant.”
That’s fairly excessive reward coming from a coach who has been round elite gamers on each the Celtics’ and 76ers’ for the previous few seasons.
Baylor Scheierman continues to excel in Maine
Baylor Scheierman, drafted with the No. 30 choose in July, had one other sturdy G-League outing, enjoying some level guard minutes and demonstrating each his taking pictures and playmaking skills.
“I’m having fun with my time up right here loads,” Scheierman advised CelticsBlog/CLNS Media pregame. “I benefit from the guys and coaches loads and simply take pleasure in enjoying. That’s sort of the way you get higher, get as many stay reps, so I attempt to reap the benefits of each likelihood I get.”
“I really feel much more snug than after I first obtained up right here — particularly with new teammates and coaches, it takes a while to regulate… not simply with the group, however the NBA type of play,” he mentioned.
Scheierman has been persistently with the Maine Celtics over the previous few months, the place he’s managed to ascertain a rhythm each on and off the ground.
“That’s one thing that the blokes in Boston talked loads about — growing a routine,” he mentioned. “It’s onerous to do this while you’re going forwards and backwards, clearly. With the ability to be right here numerous the time has helped me get right into a routine of not simply basketball, however caring for my physique, diet, and all that.”
Scheierman has made extra three-pointers (46) than any G-League participant to date this season. He’s taking pictures 39.3% from three and 90.5% from the road. He’s additionally grabbing 6.3 rebounds and racking up 3.9 assists per sport.
“I’m very assured in my skills to affect the sport in numerous alternative ways,” Scheierman mentioned. “Clearly, coming in, lots of people thought it was simply taking pictures — however my rebounding, my secondary playmaking is one thing that may’ve shocked folks.”
Scheierman took a knee to the hamstring within the fourth quarter of the sport and was hobbled, however returned to the sport after a fast locker room go to.
“He’s a baller and a warrior, so it’s going to take every thing to maintain him out,” Lashbrook mentioned.
Drew Peterson misses sport, nonetheless coping with concussion signs
Two-way participant Drew Peterson suffered a concussion after an in-game collision on Jan. 7 towards the Indiana Mad Ants, in Indianapolis. Peterson, a full participant in Wednesday’s Maine Celtics observe, handled some concussion signs Thursday and was held out of the sport for precautionary measures.
Sam Hauser in the home to observe his brother, Joey, face the Celtics
Sam Hauser spent vital time within the G-League with the Maine Celtics earlier than rising as a rotation participant in Boston. His brother, Joey, is trying to observe in his footsteps. Joey Hauser went undrafted within the 2023 NBA Draft after a university profession with Michigan State and Marquette and spent final season with the Ontario Clippers earlier than touchdown with the Skyhawks this season.
With the Boston Celtics having an off-day on Thursday, Sam and his spouse, Mary, attended the sport and sat within the crowd with their four-month-old child, Theodore. At halftime, Joey briefly caught up with the remainder of the Hausers earlier than heading to the locker room.
Joey Hauser is averaging 3.1 factors and a couple of.6 rebounds in 14.3 minutes per sport for the Skyhawks. The 2 brothers have a podcast, alongside their dad, known as the On the Haus.
Hauser joined the NBC Sports activities Boston broadcast for an prolonged stretch within the third quarter.
“There are such a lot of good recollections from right here [Portland],” Hauser mentioned on the printed. “That is the place it began.”
