(Photo credit: Michael Priest/desotocountynews.com)
The Memphis Hustle (21-7) defeated the Rio Grande Valley Vipers (16-13) Saturday night to clinch a spot in the 2023 NBA G League Playoffs.
On assignment from the Grizzlies, Ziaire Williams led the Hustle with 26 points to go with six rebounds and five assists. Matt Hurt tallied 13 points and nine rebounds. Justin Bean added with 11 points and eight rebounds. The Hustle had three reserves score in double figures, as Sean McDermott finished with 12 points, Terrell Brown Jr. contributed 11 points and Adonis Arms chipped in 10 points.
Darius Days paced the Vipers and secured a double-double with 17 points and 11 rebounds. Jalen Lecque added 17 points off the bench. Trhae Mitchell finished with 13 points and six rebounds. Ray Spalding tallied 12 points and six rebounds.
The Hustle held a slim lead over the Vipers before closing the second quarter on a 12-4 run helped them take a 12-point lead into the halftime break. The Hustle jumped out to a 17-9 start to the third quarter, before the Vipers responded with a 9-0 run to cut the lead back down to 11. The Hustle closed the third quarter on a 9-3 run to extend their lead back to 18 entering the fourth quarter. The Hustle led by as many as 34 in the final quarter to secure the victory.
The Hustle held the Vipers to a regular season-low 87 points. Memphis shot 50 percent from the field and 36.8 percent from beyond the arc. while limiting Rio Grande Valley to just 20.5 percent shooting from deep. The Hustle scored 20 points off Vipers turnovers. Memphis assisted on 25 of their 39 made field goals.
The Hustle will hit the road for their final four games of the regular season, starting with a two-game series against the Ontario Clippers on Monday, March 20, at 9 p.m. Central time.
