Hustle win streak stopped by Lakers
Road trip continues Saturday at Agua Caliente Clippers
The Memphis Hustle saw their two-game winning streak stopped by the South Bay Lakers Thursday night in El Segundo, California. A 42-point fourth quarter by the Los Angeles Lakers affiliate led a rally to win by a 129-119 score. At one time, the Memphis Grizzlies affiliate Hustle led by double digits in the second half.
Shaq Buchanan and Ahmad Caver scored 23 points apiece to pace the Hustle. Buchanan added nine rebounds and five assists while Caver, the league leader in assists per game, added nine assists and five rebounds. Santi Aldama posted 14 points, six rebounds and three steals while Reggie Hearn totaled 14 points and four rebounds.
Mac McClung posted his eighth double-double of the season with 23 points and 12 assists for South Bay. Los Angeles Lakers two-way guard Mason Jones totaled a game-high 26 points with six rebounds and five assists. Jay Huff added 24 points and six rebounds. Paris Bass pitched in 17 points, nine rebounds and two assists off the bench.
The Hustle led 91-87 going into the fourth quarter before the Lakers exploded for 42 points in the final 12 minutes of play. Memphis shot 57.1 percent from the field in the fourth quarter but South Bay shot 63.6 percent from the field and outscored the Hustle 10-2 from the free throw line. The Lakers used a 19-7 run over the first 3:35 of the quarter to take control of the game, 106-98. Jones connected on a technical free throw to give the Lakers its largest lead of the night, 120-107, with 4:04 to play.
Memphis shot 55.4 percent from the field but was unable to overcome 20 turnovers leading to 21 points on the offensive end for South Bay. The Hustle tallied a season-high 68 points in the paint.
Memphis grabbed a 30-22 lead after one quarter behind 18 points in the paint. Hearn, a former South Bay Laker, hit his first four shots of the game for the Hustle and finished the half with a team-high 12 points. South Bay’s offense came to life in the second quarter as they dropped 40 points to cut the lead to three points at the break, 65-62.
The Hustle continues its seven-game road trip in Agua Caliente against the Clippers on Saturday, March 12, at 9 p.m. Central time on NBAGLeague.com.
