Hustle drop Friday contest to Magic

The Memphis Hustle, the Grizzlies’ NBA G League affiliate, dropped the first of a two-game series against the Lakeland Magic 118-97 on Friday at Landers Center. Memphis stands at 4-3 in the South Division of the Showcase Cup with five games to play. 

BJ Johnson fueled the Lakeland offense with 40 points, including 8-for-11 shooting from 3-point range, and 11 rebounds. Hassani Gravett recorded a triple-double with 16 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists. Admiral Schofield notched a double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds. Lakeland outrebounded the Hustle 62-43 and had four players record double-digit rebounds. 

Shaq Buchanan notched his first double-double of the season with 28 points and 11 rebounds to go with five assists. Ahmad Caver tallied 26 points, seven rebounds and seven assists. Matthew Hurt poured in 16 points and four rebounds. David Stockton scored 14 points off the bench in his season debut.

The Magic used an 18-4 run to take a double-digit lead in the first quarter as Johnson scored eight points for Lakeland. Memphis struggled to get started offensively, shooting 32% from the field and 11% from 3 in in the first 12 minutes.  

The Hustle used a strong finish to the second quarter to cut the lead to 56-50 at the half. Buchanan led the Hustle with 13 points, four assists and three rebounds at the break while Caver added 10 points, five assists and three rebounds. Johnson scored 17 points in the first half with five rebounds for the Magic. 

The Hustle suffered a three-minute scoring drought in the third quarter, allowing the Magic to build its lead to 16 points. Memphis was outscored 62-47 in the second half, in its first home loss since Nov. 16.

The Hustle will finish its two-game series against the Lakeland Magic at Landers Center on Sunday, Dec. 5, at 2 p.m.

DeSoto County News Service