Hustle top Magic to open Showcase Cup play
The Memphis Hustle defeated the Lakeland Magic 123-105 in the opening game of the NBA G League Showcase Cup.
All nine Hustle players scored in double figures — led by Justin Bean — who had 22 points and eight rebounds on 8-of-10 shooting. Matthew Hurt added 21 points and six rebounds off the bench. The starting backcourt of Dakota Mathias (15 points, 11 assists) and Jacob Gilyard (11 points, 11 assists) posted double-doubles in their Hustle debuts.
Zavier Simpson and Jay Scrubb led Lakeland with 19 points apiece. Drake Jeffries added 17 points and five rebounds off the bench and Joel Ayayi posted a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds.
Memphis led 74-71 with 9:06 to play in the third quarter and ripped off a 15-2 run over the next 4:05, which was capped-off by a Romeo Weems 3-point jumper to extend the lead to 89-73 with 5:01 to play in the third.
Bean scored 10 of his 22 points in the third quarter, which was highlighted by a step-back 3-pointer and an alley-oop dunk to bring the crowd to its feet. After the third quarter run, the Magic never got closer than nine points. Memphis limited Lakeland to just 44 points on 34.1 percent shooting in the second half.
The Hustle shot 50 percent from the field and 39 percent from 3-point range. Memphis forced Lakeland into 22 turnovers leading to 21 points on the other end. The Hustle dished 36 assists and outshot the Magic 90 percent to 58.3 percent from the freethrow line.
