Jalen Bridges scored a game-high 23 points to lead the Maine Celtics to a 102-94 victory over the Salt Lake City Stars on Thursday night at the Portland Expo Building. The Celtics' defense stifled the G League's top-scoring offense, holding a Stars team averaging 133 points to a season-low 94. It was the first time this season Salt Lake City has been held under 100 points.

Amari Williams posted a strong double-double for the victorious Celtics (4-4), finishing with 19 points, 11 rebounds, 2 blocks and 2 steals. Kendall Brown contributed 17 points and five rebounds, and Ron Harper Jr. added 11 points and four assists in his return to the lineup. Max Shulga directed the offense with nine points and nine assists, and Hayden Gray provided a spark off the bench with 13 points and six assists. As a team, Maine made all 10 of its free throws.

The Stars (4-2) were led by Max Abmas, who scored 21 points, including 7-for-7 from the foul line. Sean East II scored 18 points off the bench. Cam McGriff recorded a double-double with 15 points and a game-high 12 rebounds, and Steve Crowl had 8 points, 11 rebounds and 7 assists. Salt Lake City, one of the league's best 3-point shooting teams, struggled from distance, connecting on just 6 of 30 attempts.

Maine established control in the second quarter, outscoring the Stars 40-24 to take a 61-45 lead into halftime. The early surge was powered by Bridges, who scored 21 of his 23 points in the first half. The Celtics built a lead that grew to as many as 20 points in the third quarter. 

Up next: The teams face each other again on Friday at 4 p.m. ET at the Portland Expo Building.

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