GOLD, CELTICS MEET IN KEY G-LEAGUE SHOWDOWN

PORTLAND, Maine (Interstat) — The surging Maine Celtics, riding a potent offense, will host a Grand Rapids Gold team seeking to halt a recent slide when the G League clubs meet Thursday night at the Portland Exposition Building.

Maine (18-11) enters with the stronger record and momentum, having won seven of its last 10 games. The Celtics are coming off a 147-138 shootout victory over Greensboro on Sunday, a game in which backcourt stars Max Shulga and Tosan Evbuomwan combined for 67 points and 23 assists. Shulga, a point guard on a hot streak, is averaging 21.3 points and 10.1 assists over his last eight contests, including a 33-point, 13-assist performance in the most recent win.

Grand Rapids (15-13) has lost three straight and five of its last six, with defense being a primary concern. The Gold have allowed an average of 127.2 points during their three-game skid, including a 125-114 loss at Motor City on Jan. 22. Despite the team’s struggles, shooting guard Dane Goodwin has been a consistent bright spot, averaging 22.2 points and 5.2 rebounds over his last five outings. Goodwin scored 22 points with 9 rebounds in the loss to Motor City, where Curtis Jones recorded a near triple-double with 15 points, 9 rebounds and 10 assists.

The matchup pits Maine’s high-octane attack, which has scored 112 or more points in nine consecutive games, against a Grand Rapids squad that has shown offensive firepower but inconsistent resistance. The Celtics won the teams’ only meeting last season.

Following this contest, Maine begins a three-game road trip on Feb. 4 at Sioux Falls. Grand Rapids continues its road swing with a game at Long Island on Feb. 2.

Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. EST.