A career game for Corey Walden helped the Maine Red Claws cruise past the Sioux Falls Skyforce, 132-111 at the Portland Expo on Sunday night.
Walden scored a career-high 33 points on 11-for-13 shooting as the Red Claws (22-15) avenged a Saturday loss against the Skyforce (29-8). He hit five 3-pointers to bolster an offense that had six players in double figures – including three with at least 21.
“He had a big game,” said Red Claws Coach Scott Morrison. “He’s been working hard – one of the hardest working guys. We rested him (Saturday) because he tweaked his ankle a little bit, and he was able to give us a little extra tonight. He played good D, and obviously was a big spark on offense.”
Added Walden: “I just came out aggressive and hit some shots early, then just let the momentum carry me the rest of the game.”
Tim Frazier – in his second game back with the Red Claws after appearing in 35 games for the Portland Trail Blazers – registered his fifth career D-League triple-double as he racked up 24 points, 12 rebounds and 12 assists.
It marked the 10th triple-double in Red Claws history, and the second this season (Jordan Mickey recorded one on Dec. 31). Frazier, the reigning D-League MVP, recorded four triple-doubles last season.
Coty Clarke added 21 points and seven rebounds, Omari Johnson scored 13 points, Levi Randolph had 12 and Malcolm Miller finished with 11 for Maine.
“When your guys are making shots and you got guys penetrating and finding guys and rebounding, it’s hard to beat us,” said Frazier. “These guys are shooting the ball extremely well, so any time a defense has to worry about all five guys on the court shooting 3s and all five guys attacking, it’s hard to play that on defense.”
Led by seven points from Frazier, Maine erupted for 35 points in the first quarter, with eight players scoring. They shot 13 for 21 to open the game, knocking down five 3-pointers in the process as they took a 35-27 lead.
By halftime, the Red Claws had extended their lead to 69-56, aided by 10-for-21 shooting from 3-point range and 65 percent shooting overall. Walden, who played a total of 29 minutes off the bench, poured in 10 points in the second quarter, and all five starters had at least eight points in the first half.
The offense cooled in the third quarter, but Maine was still took a 94-80 lead in the fourth.
Walden took over in the fourth quarter, scoring 15 points as the Red Claws pulled away down the stretch.
“The types of shots we made were all open shots,” said Walden. “It just shows how unselfish we are as a team and it makes our offense click.”
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