The Maine Celtics (21-13) start a possible playoff run tonight with a single elimination sport towards the Delaware Blue Coats (19-15). Winners of 10 of their final 12 video games, the Celtics’ G-league affiliate loved a robust end to the season en path to securing the #2 seed within the Japanese Convention.
In flip, they confronted the #6 seed Blue Coats — Philadelphia’s G-League affiliate — who received their first playoff sport on Tuesday night time to safe their spot in tonight’s matchup. The Blue Coats are the defending champions, however had been led final yr by a unique forged of gamers, which included the Celtics’ now very personal Jaden Springer taking house the Finals MVP honors.
Tonight’s sport will happen on the Portland Expo in Portland Maine, and can tip-off at 7 pm on ESPNews.
Gamers to Watch
Two-way guard JD Davison has been the engine that’s made all of it go this season, averaging 20.8 factors, 8.6 assists and 4.8 rebounds per sport in his second full yr with the Maine Celtics. However he sprained his left ankle final week in a sport towards the Faculty Park Skyhawks, and his standing tonight is unsure. Sources instructed CelticsBlog it’s doable he might return from a week-long absence in time for the primary postseason sport.
DJ Stewart, who has been the crew’s second-leading scorer, additionally in jeopardy of lacking tonight’s matchup, additionally with a sprained ankle. Stewart, who’s averaging 19.4 factors and 4 assists, is listed as questionable, and has been a key contributor off of the bench all yr lengthy, significantly in Davison’s absence.
Within the entrance courtroom, Neemias Queta has solely performed in eight video games for Maine — however he’s had a large affect, placing up 14 factors, 8.8 rebounds, and a couple of blocks in simply 22 minutes an evening. Queta performed a extra important position on the large membership earlier within the season, however as of late, he has spent extra time with Maine.
When CelticsBlog caught up with Queta final week, he mentioned he was trying ahead to creating a playoff run together with his Maine Celtics teammates.
“It may be a time the place I include Boston,” Queta mentioned. “However hopefully I can preserve enjoying, having the ability to assist the crew right here in Maine.”
Neemias Queta has lots of gratitude for the yr he is had with the Celtics:
“It is positively been an ideal yr for me, having the ability to be taught with among the finest gamers within the league… It is positively serving to me be a extra constant participant, attending to develop on daily basis.” pic.twitter.com/V2qatl23PY
— Noa Dalzell (@NoaDalzellNBA) March 27, 2024
Jordan Walsh, the Celtics’ second-round draft choose who has been on task within the G-League for many of this season, has been enjoying his finest basketball as of late. He’s coming off a career-high 27-point night time, which included a game-clinching free throw that secured the crew’s first-round bye.
Walsh has averaged 14.7 factors and seven.4 rebounds this season, whereas typically being tasked with essentially the most tough defensive task of the night time.
Drew Peterson, one other two-player on the Celtics, has been some of the well-balanced gamers on the roster. He’s averaged 16.1 factors, 7.4 rebounds, and 5.6 assists, and put up two triple-doubles in latest weeks. His means to be a connector within the Maine Celtics offense shall be one thing to observe, particularly if Maine is with out its two main scorers.
Joe Wieskamp, the previous Iowa College standout acquired mid-season, has been extraordinarily environment friendly offensively – placing up 16.8 factors on 52.9% capturing, together with 42.4% from downtown. If Davison and Stewart miss tonight’s sport, Wieskamp will probably be relied upon to step up offensively.
For the Blue Coats, two-way gamers Ricky Council IV and Jeff Dowtin Jr. are anticipated to steer the cost. Council has put up 23.1 factors per sport this season — and got here third in G League rookie of the yr voting — whereas Dowtin has averaged 19.1 factors. Kenneth Lofton was a giant a part of the crew for a lot of the season, however is not with Delaware.
The Boston Celtics might present as much as help
Final week, the Maine Celtics performed two video games in Faculty Park, George — and their Boston Celtics teammates, additionally spending the week in Atlanta, confirmed as much as watch. Jordan Walsh mentioned his teammates’ presence served as motivation for him on the sideline.
Jordan Walsh on enjoying in entrance of the Celtics group:
“I wished to point out them I can hoop, I’m a authentic hooper, ya know what I imply?”
“Once they come down right here & see me play it’s like ‘oh okay, this man can truly hoop.’ It’s not like I’m a bum or nothing.” pic.twitter.com/Y4JNXX0xkN
— Noa Dalzell (@NoaDalzellNBA) March 27, 2024
With the Celtics off tonight, some gamers and members of the group are once more anticipated to make the journey to help the G League affiliate and teammates Walsh, Queta, Davison, and Peterson.
Playoff Image
The winner of tomorrow night time’s match-up between the Maine Celtics and the Delaware Blue Coats will advance to the Convention Finals. Whoever wins tonight will face the winner of the Osceola Magic and the Lengthy Island Nets in one other single-elimination sport. Lastly, the winner of that sport will head to a three-game G-League Finals collection, slated to start on April ninth.
