Theo Pinson goes for 43 in Long Island Nets win over Maine Red Claws

Theo Pinson is expected on the Brooklyn Nets bench Friday. The Nets two-way might be tired after playing 40 minutes but he’s certainly exhilarated after scoring 43 points Thursday as the short-handed Long Island Nets beat the Maine Red Claws, 121-109, in Portland.

Long Island (17-6) was led by Pinson, who finished 17-of-29 shooting, including 7-of-13 from downtown. Here’s his highlight reel...

Okaro White, the 6’8” forward signed earlier in the week, had with 17 points, while Kamari Murphy added 16 points. Tahjere McCall and Shannon Scott, LIN’s vets, scored 12 points each and Thomas Wimbush recorded a 10 point-10 rebound double-double.

The Nets, who are currently first in the G League’s Eastern Conference, were without several key players, including two-way Alan Williams who left the team for China last week, but returned Thursday. Also absent: Jordan McLaughlin and Mitch Creek, giving the Nets only 10 healthy bodies for the road trip.

Maine (8-16) was led by Boston Celtics Two-Way Player P.J. Dozier, who finished with 28 points and 6 assists. Former Net Archie Goodwin added 24 points off the bench to go with 9 rebounds. Justin Bibbs dropped in 20 points, and Andrew White scored 17 points. Nick King added 10 points in the loss.

The Nets went up early, scoring 37 points to Red Claws’ 14, led by three straight triples from Pinson. In one stretch, Pinson scored 14 straight points in a Nets 26-2 run. By halftime, Pinson had 30 and Long Island never looked back. Pinson went 11-of-16 from the floor in the first half including 6-of-7 from three-point range.

White, who’s played 44 NBA games with Miami and Washington, shot 6-of-10 overall including a three and and alley-oop during the Nets early run.

• Game Report: Long Island Nets 121, Maine Red Claws 109 (with Video) - G League
• Nets rip Red Claws 121-109 - David Eid - WGME-TV