G League Showdown Features Top Contender, Rising Star

PORTLAND, Maine (Interstat) — The league-leading Salt Lake City Stars, boasting the G League’s best record, visit the Maine Celtics on Thursday night in a rematch of a decisive December meeting.

The game at the Portland Exposition Building pits the Western Conference’s Salt Lake City (17-3) against Eastern Conference foe Maine (12-9). The Stars have won 10 of their last 11 games, including a 123-107 victory over these Celtics on Dec. 19 in Utah.

Salt Lake City is powered by guard Max Abmas, who is coming off a dominant 30-point, 10-rebound, 7-assist performance in a 143-120 rout of Rip City on Saturday. Over his last five games, Abmas has averaged 19.4 points and 5.2 assists.

Maine counters with center Amari Williams, who has recorded back-to-back 30-point, 14-rebound double-doubles in wins over Noblesville and Capital City. Williams posted a triple-double (12 points, 15 rebounds, 10 assists) in a narrow loss to Noblesville on Dec. 31. However, he was held to just four points in the December loss to Salt Lake City.

The Stars’ offense has been prolific, scoring at least 123 points in nine consecutive games. In their most recent outing, John Tonje added 34 points and Cameron McGriff had 17 points and eight rebounds alongside Abmas’s stat line.

Maine has won three of its last four, including a 112-109 overtime victory against Capital City on Saturday where Williams scored 33 points and grabbed 16 rebounds. Guard Max Shulga, who had 16 points and six assists in that game, will be a key facilitator.

Thursday’s contest is the first of a two-game set between the teams in Portland, with a second matchup scheduled for Friday night. The Stars begin a four-game road trip, while the Celtics play seven of their next eight at home.