Hornets
Grizzlies bury Hornets with 29-point lead, rout Charlotte 116-98
Memphis beat Charlotte 98-116 at FedExForum behind a 29-point first-half cushion that the Hornets never seriously threatened. Cameron Boozer and Ty Jerome led a balanced Grizzlies attack, while Memphis dominated the glass and the fast break. It's preseason, so no standings weight, but the Grizzlies look further along than the Hornets right now.
By the Hoops Nightly Desk · updated 3 d ago01The story of the nightMemphis never let go of the leadThe Grizzlies led at every quarter break, 23-20, 50-38, 79-62, and 116-98, and built their biggest lead to 29 points.
The Grizzlies led at every quarter break, 23-20, 50-38, 79-62, and 116-98, and built their biggest lead to 29 points. Lead changes were rare, just three, which tells the story: Memphis set the pace early and kept adding to it. Charlotte's best push came in the fourth, when it outscored Memphis's bench-heavy group 36-37, but by then the game was decided. The Hornets shot 41.3% from the field for the game against Memphis's 46.3%, and that gap, built mostly in the first half, was too much to climb back from.
02Boozer and Jerome carry the GrizzliesCameron Boozer led Memphis with 19 points, 7 rebounds and 3 assists on 4-of-13 shooting, getting to the line for…
Cameron Boozer led Memphis with 19 points, 7 rebounds and 3 assists on 4-of-13 shooting, getting to the line for 9-of-10 free throws. Ty Jerome added 17 points on 6-of-13 shooting with 4 assists and 3 steals, finishing a team-best plus-26. Cedric Coward chipped in 13 points on efficient 5-of-8 shooting with 4 assists. For Charlotte, Hannes Steinbach was the standout off the bench with 19 points and 10 rebounds on 7-of-9 shooting. Brandon Miller scored 15 but needed 12 shots to get there, and Christian Anderson matched him with 15 off the bench.
03Won on the break and the boardsThe paint battle was close, Memphis 42 to Charlotte's 40, but the Grizzlies blew the game open in transition,…
The paint battle was close, Memphis 42 to Charlotte's 40, but the Grizzlies blew the game open in transition, scoring 21 fast-break points to the Hornets' 13. Memphis also out-rebounded Charlotte 51-44 and out-assisted them 26-18, a sign of cleaner, more connected offense. Charlotte's bench actually outscored Memphis's bench, 63 to 58, but it came too late and against a lead already built. Charlotte turned the ball over 24 times against Memphis's 19, and the Grizzlies cashed those giveaways into 23 points off turnovers compared to Charlotte's 21.
04Takeaways for both sidesFor Memphis, this was a complete team win: starters and bench both contributed, with five players scoring in double…
For Memphis, this was a complete team win: starters and bench both contributed, with five players scoring in double figures including bench pieces Quinten Post and Cam Spencer with 11 apiece. The defense also forced 24 Charlotte turnovers while committing only 19 of its own. For Charlotte, the warning signs are shot efficiency and ball security. The Hornets shot just 41.3% from the field and 10-of-33 from three, and their 24 turnovers handed Memphis extra possessions all night. It's only preseason, so no standings are at stake, but Charlotte has clear work to do before games start counting.
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