CHARLOTTE, NC Feb 13 (BUS): Ja Morant scored 26 points and Desmond Ben 25 added the Memphis Grizzlies to the Charlotte Hornets 125-118 on Saturday night for their fifth straight win.
Jaren Jackson Jr. scored 18 points and had 10 rebounds, while Stephen Adams added 15 points and 11 rebounds for the Grizzlies (40-18), who have won eight of their last nine games while scoring at least 120 points in their last five. reports.
Terry Roser scored 35 points and had 10 rebounds for Hornets, who trailed by 35 points before reducing the difference to four points at the end of the fourth quarter. LaMelo Ball finished with 25 points and newly acquired Montrezel Harrell had 20 against the relegated Hornets, who have lost seven of their last eight games.
Charlotte (29-29) was hoping to generate some momentum after beating the Detroit Pistons on Friday night for a six-game losing streak.
But the Hornets came out flat, missing 15 of 16 shots to start the game as the Grizzlies advanced to 23-4. The Memphis extended the lead to 35 late in the second quarter, dominating the Hornets in the paint 72-50.
The Grizzlies led by over 20 for most of the match, but the Hornets began to break into the lead after Adams’ foul with 7:27 left in the match.
Morant, who entered the game averaging 32.5 points in the Grizzlies’ previous 11 games, scored on consecutive possessions to push the Memphis lead to 14. He hit the Hornets repeatedly by making his way through the fairway to shoot the ball and it’s over. 12 of 21 from the field.
The Hornets kept fighting and cut the difference to four by 2:05. However, Tyus Jones hit a runner and Bane scored in a free kick after Ball missed a 3-point attempt and went down, sending Memphis to eight points and essentially winning.
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Grizzlies: Dillon Brooks (sprained ankle), Kylian Tilley (backache) and Xavier Tillman (right thigh soreness) did not play.
Hornets: Gordon Hayward (sprained ankle), Cody Martin (Achilles soreness) and Jalen McDaniels (sprained ankle) remain out
… Harrell received a standing ovation from the fans in his first home game with his new team.
next one
Grizzlies: In New Orleans on Tuesday night.
Hornets: In Minnesota on Tuesday night.