MEMPHIS, Tenn. — — Miles Bridges scored 27 points, rookie Vasa Micic added a career-high 25 and the Charlotte Hornets beat the Memphis Grizzlies 110-98 on Wednesday night.
Micic shot 9 of 10, including 5 of 6 from 3-point range, and had eight assists. Grant Williams added 18 points for the Hornets, including 15 in the fourth quarter when he made all five of his shots. Tre Mann, who missed the previous three games with a groin injury, finished with 10 points, as did Brandon Miller.
The game was sloppy throughout, with Memphis committing 24 turnovers and the Hornets having 20. Memphis shot 42.4% overall and 16 of 40 from beyond the arc, while Charlotte shot 53, 7%.
“It was their transition,” Memphis center Trey Jemison said. “They were running, and we were no match. I don’t talk enough. This ends up being a big problem for us.
GG Jackson led the Grizzlies with 26 points, while Luke Kennard scored 17. Jemison had 14 points and John Konchar finished with 13 points and nine rebounds for the Grizzlies, who have lost three of four.
At the start of the fourth quarter, Hornets coach Steve Clifford reminded the officials that Charlotte had not shot a free throw for three quarters. The Hornets finally reached the line with 10:13 remaining. Mann, attempting to convert a three-point play, missed the free throw. Charlotte finished the night 9 of 13 from the line.
The Hornets built a double-digit lead in the first half and held most of that advantage while continuing to shoot over 50 percent through three quarters. Charlotte held an 80-70 lead entering the fourth.
There were times when the Grizzlies took double-digit leads, but Charlotte answered those points.
The Grizzlies, as usual this season, were shorthanded, with 11 players listed as unavailable.
“They were decimated by injuries,” Clifford said. “Yet when you watch them, they’re in the game almost every night, no matter who they’re playing. It’s a good victory for us. It’s hard to come here and play, and it’s hard to play against them.
The Grizzlies, who sit in 13th place in the Western Conference, faced a team near the bottom of the Eastern Conference for the second straight night. Memphis beat the league-worst Washington Wizards 109-97 on Tuesday.
The Hornets were coming off a 114-97 loss at Detroit on Monday. Charlotte and Memphis are at the bottom of the league in points per game.
The Hornets took a 56-46 lead into halftime as both teams struggled to maintain possession. Memphis committed 11 turnovers and Charlotte had 13.
But the Hornets made up for the shooting by shooting 53 percent, including 8 of 18 from beyond the arc. Charlotte led by 18 points in the first half.
“We were flat early, and the Hornets definitely took advantage in the first half,” Memphis coach Taylor Jenkins said. “It’s not our best effort.”
The Hornets improved to 8-26 on the road, including 5-10 against the West.
“Every road win is important in the NBA,” Bridges said. “As long as we continue to improve, that’s all I worry about.”
FOLLOWING
Hornets: Host Phoenix on Friday.
Grizzlies: Host Oklahoma City on Saturday.
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