PORTLAND, Maine — The Maine Red Claws used a balanced attack and a strong second half to beat the Santa Cruz Warriors 104-87 Saturday at the Portland Expo.
The Red Claws (11-6) have now won five straight games, with a Sunday matinee scheduled for 5 p.m., which is the last game before the NBA D-League Showcase. Santa Cruz falls to 9-10.
With the win, Scott Morrison becomes the winningest coach in the franchise history of the Maine Red Claws.
In two seasons, Morrison has amassed a record of 46-21, moving past Austin Ainge (2009-11) and Mike Taylor (2012-14), who were both tied at 45-55.
Morrison, a Prince Edward Island native, took over the Red Claws prior to the 2014-15 season, leading Maine to a franchise-record 35-15 campaign, earning NBA D-League Coach of the Year honors.
Jordan Mickey, on assignment from the Boston Celtics, led the Red Claws with 17 points, 7 rebounds and 4 blocks. Mickey leads the NBA D-League in blocks (4.9 per game), and is fresh off his first professional triple-double on Thursday night. Terry Rozier, also on assignment from the Celtics, finished with 9 points and 6 assists in the win.
The Red Claws got 56 points from their bench, including 16 from Davion Berry (to go with 6 assists), 14 points from Coty Clarke (to go with 9 rebounds), 12 points from Levi Randolph, and 10 points from Coron Williams.
Maine weathered a hot start from Santa Cruz, led by big man Daniel Orton. The former Red Claw led all scorers with 22 points but was limited to 25 minutes due to foul trouble. The Red Claws led 22-19 after the first quarter. Santa Cruz was held under 20 points in the first quarter for the first time all season.