Hustle stop Knicks in G League action
The Memphis Hustle, the Grizzlies’ NBA G League affiliate, defeated the Westchester Knicks 118-112 inside HP Field House on Tuesday night, March 2.
Both teams traded baskets throughout the first quarter before Westchester grabbed a 25-24 lead after 12 minutes of play. Louis King scored 10 of his 14 points in the first period to pace the Knicks. Memphis used their best offensive quarter of the night to grab command of the game in the second. The Hustle shot 60.9 percent from the floor and 60 percent from 3-point range while limiting the Knicks to 36.4 percent shooting in the quarter. Sean McDermott tallied 14 of his 20 points in the first half on 6-of-9 shooting. The Hustle finished the first half on a 17-4 run to stretch their lead to 60-46 heading into the locker room.
Memphis extended their lead to as many as 16 points in the third quarter behind 11 points from veteran David Stockton. The Knicks were able to trim the Hustle lead to 10 points at 92-82 after connecting nine 3-pointers in the third quarter, including three from Jared Harper. Memphis took their largest lead of the night at 108-89 with 7:08 remaining in the game after a free-throw from Bennie Boatwright. However, Westchester would not go away quietly as they strung together an 18-2 run to cut the lead to just three points at 110-107 with 2:12 to play. Ahmad Caver would respond by scoring six of his 13 fourth-quarter points in the final two minutes of regulation to ice the game away for Memphis. The Hustle had seven players score in double-figures for the first time since Nov. 18, 2019.
Caver finished with a game-high 21 points, three rebounds, three assists and two steals on an efficient 8-of-13 shooting night. McDermott totaled 20 points (8-16 FG), six rebounds and one block in 33 minutes. Stockton poured in 19 points while dishing eight assists and grabbing five rebounds in 29 minutes. Freddie Gillespie posted his sixth double-double of the season with 12 points and 11 rebounds to lift Memphis to a sweep in the back-to-back set.
Harper totaled a game-high 27 points, 10 assists and two rebounds to lead the Knicks. Myles Powell scored 20 points to go with eight rebounds and three assists in 27 minutes. JJ Moore pitched in 19 points, eight rebounds and one assist as Westchester fell to (5-6) on the season.
The Hustle return to action on Thursday, Mar. 4, against the Long Island Nets at 10:30 a.m. CT inside HP Field House. Fans can watch the game on www.GrindCityMedia.com.
Memphis Hustle news release