Projo Sports Blog

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) -- Portland's new NBA Development League team will be affiliated with the Boston Celtics and the Charlotte Bobcats, team officials announced Monday.

Maine's largest city was awarded a franchise in the D-League last winter. The club begins play this fall.

"We could not have two better partners," said Maine Red Claws President Jon Jennings, a former Boston Celtics assistant coach.

The D-League, whose season runs from November to April, serves as a feeder league to the NBA. The Red Claws' home games will be played at the Portland Exposition Building.

The Celtics previously were affiliated with the Utah Flash; the Bobcats were affiliated with the Sioux City Skyforce.

Celtics general manager Danny Ainge said having an affiliate in Portland, a two-hour drive from Boston, would be logistically easier than having its affiliate more than 2,000 miles away.

"I think the proximity of Portland to Boston is going to be a great blessing for us and allow so much more benefit and bang for the buck in our association with the development league," he said.

Springfield, Mass., the birthplace of basketball, will also debut a D-League team this fall. The yet-to-be-named franchise will be affiliated with the New Jersey Nets, New York Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers.

"I am a true believer in the NBA D-League and it's great to be affiliated with the Springfield franchise," said Donnie Walsh, President of Basketball Operations for the Knicks.

 Tags  Boston Celtics Charlotte Bobcats Maine Red Claws

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