Red Claws get beat at buzzer by Springfield 88 - 85

TINY GALLON TIPPED IN 14 FOR THE CLAWS

The Springfield Armor chose a great time to get their first lead of the game. With under a second in the game, Scottie Reynolds drained a step back three from the top of the key to give the Armor an 88-85 lead with only .2 seconds remaining. The Armor went on to win by the same score Friday night at the MassMutual Center in Springfield.
              
The Armor had to fight off countless deficits, but with Reynolds (30 points) and huge contributions off the bench from Jerry Smith, the Armor were able to crawl back into the game.  “Last year we would have fell apart,” said Armor head coach Dee Brown. “We have guys on this team that just won’t quit.”

The fourth quarter began with Springfield cutting the lead to 3. But that was quickly erased after Maine went on a 12-4 run. That’s when Reynolds took over. After a beautiful reverse lay up to cut the lead to single digits, he was fouled on a 3 point play that brought the lead down to just 6 points. Later in the quarter, Reynolds intercepted a pass and hit L.D. Williams for an easy lay-up.
              
Once again the Maine extended their lead and with under 2 minutes remaining, Red Claws forward Tiny Gallon stretched the lead to 85-77.
But Reynolds answered. Reynolds drove to the basket, banked the lay-up and was fouled. A successful Reynolds free throw brought the lead back down to 5. L.D. Williams again made a big basket as he stole the ball and went the length of the floor for the score.
              
After a defensive stand, the Armor had the ball on the sideline following a timeout. L.D. Williams, taking the ball out, hit Reynolds on a curl, as Reynolds once again finished with a reverse lay-up.
              
Following the play, the Armor defense picked up just like its offense. Red Claws point guard Lawrence Westbrook drove to the lane, but Jerry Smith planted his feet and took a charge, giving the Armor the ball back and setting the stage for Reynolds.  With under 5 seconds Reynolds attempted to drive to the basket, but was cut off by Maine defenders. He instead stepped back and hit nothing on the net, as the crowd of 2,404 went nuts.
              
All three quarters went the same. Maine extended to a comfortable lead and then by the midway point the Armor would rally back to stay close. “There are going to be nights like this, so we just have to build off them,” said Reynolds.  The Armor did just that early on as they trailed 15-3. Things could have gotten worse as well as JamesOn Curry picked up his second foul early in the first quarter. But Jerry Smith came off the bench for the Armor to spark a 12-0 run to tie the game at 15. “We have a lot of fight,” said Reynolds. “We stay together.”
              
The Armor improve to 2-1 on the season as the Red Claws fall to 1-2. Both teams will play again Saturday at noon at the MassMutual Center.

- NBA D-LEAGUE - 

Maine Red Claws Draft Party 2010

The Maine Red Claws, presented by Quirk Chevrolet, today announced that they will host a fan celebration for the 2010 NBA Development League Draft at Bingas Stadium Smokehouse and Sports Bar located at 77 Free Street in Portland. The 2010 NBA D-League Draft will take place Monday, November 1 beginning at 7 PM, and the Draft Party will feature specials on Red Claws Ale and food. In addition, Red Claws season ticket holders will have access to a private room where they will be among the first to learn the Red Claws draft selections and will also be able to pick up their 2010-11 tickets. The party will begin at 6:30 PM.

The NBA D-League Draft will feature more than 140 prospects, many of whom will have recently competed in NBA training camps and summer leagues. The draft offers NBA D-League teams the opportunity to build their rosters from the pool of promising players. Each of the NBA D-League’s 16 teams will be given one pick in each of the eight rounds.  No trades will be permitted during the draft and only players signed to an

NBA D-League Rule Changes

The NBA Development League today announced two rules changes for the upcoming 2010-11 season: incorporating the goaltending rule used in international competition and shortening overtime periods. As the NBA’s official minor league, one of the NBA D-League’s primary functions is to serve as its research and development arm.

“In addition to developing 20 percent of current NBA players and numerous coaches and referees who are enjoying NBA success, we also function as the NBA’s 'Research and Development' department and, therefore, are

continuously looking for ways to improve the sport of basketball,” said NBA D-League President Dan Reed. “We believe implementing these new rules will make our games even more exciting for both players and fans alike, while providing a valuable service for the NBA.”

The new goaltending rule follows the standard used in the international game that allows a player to knock the ball away when it is on the rim. Prior to this season, the NBA D-League used NBA goaltending rules, which prohibit players from touching the ball when it is on the cylinder.

Overtime periods in the NBA D-League this year will be three minutes in duration, down from the five minutes of previous seasons.

“There are myriad benefits to having the NBA D-League serve as the NBA’s farm system,” said NBA Executive Vice President, Basketball Operations, Stu Jackson. “One of the advantages is that it allows us to look at the rules of play and experiment with ways we can make the game more competitive.”

Among some of the NBA D-League’s past innovations are the following: becoming the first league under the NBA umbrella to show all of its games live online free of charge; instituting a playoff format that allows each of the three division winners to select its first-round opponent from among the remaining postseason teams; and testing the adidas-developed NBA Revolution 30 uniforms, which will be worn by NBA teams this season, as well as various versions of the official Spalding basketball.

The NBA Development League, founded in 2001, is the NBA’s official minor league whose teams have direct affiliations to NBA franchises. For the

2010-11 season, the league will feature 16 teams – including the debut of the Texas Legends. A proven developer of talent, 20 percent of players in the NBA at the conclusion of the 2009-10 season boasted NBA D-League experience, while the league continues to develop coaches, referees, and front-office staff for the NBA and its teams. In fostering the league’s connection to the community, its teams, players and staff promote health and wellness, support local needs and interests, and assist in educational development through NBA D-League Cares programs. The NBA D-League also advances the game of basketball as the research and development arm of the NBA. Throughout the league’s 10th season, which tips off Friday, Nov. 19, fans can watch all NBA D-League games via NBA Futurecast, the free live Web-streaming initiative found at nba.com/dleague.

--Red Claws Communication--

FIVE RED CLAWS NAMED TO PRO SUMMER LEAGUE ROSTERS IN ORLANDO #nba #nbadl #maineredclaws #celtics #bobcats

Five current or former Red Claws players have been named to NBA Summer League Rosters in Orlando.

Alexis Ajinca will play for Charlotte, Marcus Landry from Indiana, Paul Davis for Orlando, Trey Gilder for Orlando and Paul Harris, who was unable to play last season due to injury but whose NBA D-League rights the Red Claws retain, will play for Utah. Red Claws Head Coach Austin Ainge is coaching the Celtics’ Orlando summer league team. The 2010 AirTran Airways Pro Summer League in Orlando begins today.

OFFICIAL NBA PRESS RELEASE
Forty seven players with NBA Development League experience highlight the rosters of the eight teams playing in the 2010 AirTran Airways Pro Summer League, tipping off in Orlando this afternoon. The event features 20 games played over five days at the RDV Sportsplex in Orlando.

#RedClaws Shake-Up Roster

The Maine Red Claws, presented by Quirk Chevrolet, today announced that they have acquired guard Morris Almond and forward TJ Cummings from the Springfield Armor in exchange for guard Tony Bobbitt and forward Noel Felix. The announcement was made by Red Claws President and General Manager Jon Jennings.

The 6-5, 210 lb. Almond is the leading scorer in the NBA D-League, averaging 26.8 points per game in 22 games played this season. A 2007 first round draft pick (26th overall) of the Utah Jazz, the guard out of Rice University split the past two seasons between the Jazz and their NBA D-League affiliate, the Utah Flash. Almond, 25, the all-time leading scorer in Rice history, has 34 NBA games to his credit. In 22 games with the Armor this season, he has averaged more than 40 minutes played per game and appeared in the 2010 NBA D-League All-Star Game this past weekend.

Cummings, the son of NBA and DePaul great Terry Cummings, is a 6-8, 210 lb. forward out of UCLA. Cummings, 28, is an NBA D-League veteran, having played in parts of five seasons in the league. He has also played overseas in China, Puerto Rico, South Korea, and Belgium. In 21 games this season, he is averaging 15.1 points per game in 35.3 minutes played. His 8.9 rebounds per game currently ranks 8th in the league.

“It was a difficult decision to part with players who have been with us for most of the season, but whenever you have the opportunity to acquire the league’s leading scorer, it’s a move you have to consider,” said Jennings. “Almond gives us a proven scorer and go-to player while Cummings’ 8.9 rebounds a game makes us a stronger team heading into the second half of the season.”

The Red Claws will return to action on Thursday, February 18 in Tulsa, OK when they take on the Tulsa 66ers in the first game of a three-game road trip. The team will return to Maine to take on the Fort Wayne Mad Ants on February 24 and 25. February 24 will be Go Red Night with fans encouraged to wear red to show their support for the American Heart Association. February 25 will be Crusher’s Birthday Party night as mascots from throughout the state will be on hand to help celebrate Crusher’s first birthday. Tickets remain for both games and may be purchased by calling 207-210-6655 or online at www.maineredclaws.com.

--RED CLAWS COMMUNICATIONS--

RED CLAWS DROP 1ST ONE AT HOME 113-105

BOSTON CELTICS GUARD LESTER HUDSON

Ron Howard had a team-high 28 points to lead the Fort Wayne Mad Ants to a 113-105 victory over the Maine Red Claws, snapping Maine’s seven-game winning streak in the process. Maine surrendered a 62-point first half on the way to their second loss of the season.

Celtic assignee Bill Walker had a game-high 32 points in the loss, while Bobcats’ assignee Alexis Ajinca’s double-double – 23 points and 10 rebounds – still were not enough.

Despite Maine’s first half defensive woes, the game was theirs to be had as they held a 95-90 lead with 5:54 to play in the game, only to see the Mad Ants close the game on a 25-10 run behind 15 fourth quarter points from Howard.

Shooting percentage proved to be a deciding factor as the Mad Ants shot 56.3% from the field and 47.6% from three, compared to a 46% field goal and 37% three point shooting from their opponent.

Fort Wayne finished with six players in double digits: Oliver Lafayette followed Howard with 20, Ryan Ayers had 15, Jared Reiner contributed 13 and 11 rebounds, and Dewitt Scott chipped in with 11.

The win improves Fort Wayne to 4-5 on the year, and the Red Claws drop to 7-2. The Red Claws are back in action a week from today at home against the Bakersfield Jam, and the Mad Ants will play Dakota on the same day at home.(Write-Up Courtesy Red Claws Communications)

POST GAME AUDIO
HEAD COACH AUSTIN AINGE
NOEL FELIX
LESTER HUDSON
TREY GILDER

MAINE RED CLAWS EXPANSION DRAFT

Follow right here for the LIVE updates for the Red Claws draft!

Round 10 - Maine Andre Patterson Anaheim F 6-8 215 Tennessee

Round 9 - Maine Josh Davis Colorado F 6-8 245 Wisconsin

Round 8 - Maine Joe Dabbert Colorado F/C 6-10 255 Creighton

Round 7 – Maine Dominique Coleman Colorado G 6-3 190 Colorado

Round 6: Maine Kedrick Brown Anaheim G/F 6-6 225 Okalossa Walton CC

Round 5 Maine - John Lucas Colorado G 5-11 170 Oklahoma State

Round 4 Maine – Noel Felix

Round 3 Maine - Billy Thomas Colorado G 6-5 215 Kansas

Round 2 - Maine selects Trey Gilder Colorado F 6-9 185 Northwestern State

Round 1 - Maine selects James White Anaheim G 6-7 200 Cincinnati

1:56 PM Maine Red Claws - Effie Drew, a student @ Portland High School & winner of the First Fan Promotion will be making the team's first selection...

Springfield- Marcus Campbell, James Mays, Eddie Gill, Gill Maine, Kentrell Gransberry, Cedric Bozeman, Jamar Brown, Malick Badiane, Marcus Taylor, Cameron Bennerman, Kirk Walters

MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENT

JOIN THE CMSB AND 96.3 THE BIG JAB FOR A
MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENT
TUNE INTO 96.3 FM/1440AM or online at The Big Jab.com

It's Official...The Maine Red Claws

The official name contest announcement was made at 7:45 AM on the Big Jab 96.3 FM today.
Jon Jennings announced that the Maine Red Claws was the winning name.

The audio of the announcement is in the player below.

NBA Maine and the Susan G Komen for the Cure

NBA MAINE AND NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK JERSEY AUCTION
Proceeds to benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure

NBA Maine and the New Kids on the Block are working together to help raise money for the Maine Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure by auctioning off autographed jerseys worn during the concert at the Cumberland County Civic Center on Wednesday, March 25 to help raise money for Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

To bid on the Jerseys, go to the NBA MAINE eBay Page.

“I have known members of the New Kids on the Block for many years, and they are a great group of guys. We are very excited for this opportunity for us to work together to help raise money for the Susan G. Komen for the Cure in honor of Danny Wood's mother mother and the millions of other people who have been affected by this terrible disease.” said Jon Jennings, Team President and GM of NBA Maine.

“This is a great illustration that breast cancer knows no boundaries - be it age, gender, socio-economic status or geographic location. The New Kids on the Block and NBA Maine have been touched by this disease, just as many others have been, and they are taking steps to help us reach our vision of a world without breast cancer,” said Sally Bilancia, Executive Director of the Maine Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

Nancy G. Brinker promised her dying sister, Susan G. Komen, that she would do everything in her power to end breast cancer forever. That promise is now Susan G. Komen for the Cure®, the global leader of the breast cancer movement, having invested more than $1 billion since inception in 1982. As the world’s largest grassroots network of breast cancer survivors and activists, we’re working together to save lives, empower people, ensure quality care for all and energize science to find the cures. Thanks to events like the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure®, and generous contributions from their partners, sponsors and fellow supporters, they have become the largest source of nonprofit funds dedicated to the fight against breast cancer in the world. For more information on the Maine Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure: www.komenmaine.com

NBA D League President Dan Reed

Take a listen as Dan Reed joins us. Dan is the President of The NBA D League. Don't forget to visit GR Dimillos TONIGHT at 6PM for St Patty's Day Celtic Celebration!

NBA D League President Dan Reed 031709