The Maine Red Claws secured their first playoff spot in the NBA D-League Saturday despite losing at Erie.

A day later, they found out their opponent in the opening-round best-of-three – the Rio Valley Grande Vipers, who won the Central Division with a 35-15 record. The series opens 7 p.m. Thursday at the Portland Expo.

The second game and, if necessary, third game, will be in Hidalgo, Texas. The teams played met twice this season, the Vipers winning both.

The Claws are the eighth and last seed in the playoffs. Rio Grande Valley is the second seed behind Bakersfield.

The Claws announced playoff tickets will be on sale on Monday starting at 8:30 a.m. by calling 210-6655 or online at www.maineredclaws.com. Tickets can also be purchased at the Red Claws Team store at 413 Congress St., in Portland starting at 9 a.m.


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