CHARLOTTE, NC (AP) — Ja Morant had 23 points and eight assists past family and friends, Desmond Bane added 19 points and 10 rebounds, and the Memphis Grizzlies beat the Charlotte Hornets 131-107 Wednesday night for their fourth victory consecutive. .
Dillon Brooks scored 18 points and Jaren Jackson Jr. added 17 points and nine rebounds for the Grizzlies. Steven Adams had 15 rebounds for Memphis, which improved to 9-10 on the road.
LaMelo Ball had 23 points and 12 assists and Terry Rozier added 21 points for the Hornets, who have lost 14 of 17 games.
The Hornets were outclassed from the start.
Morant is a South Carolina native whose family lives about 90 minutes from Charlotte — and many of them go to the Spectrum Center to watch him play.
“A lot of people came out here and supported me, like you could hear when I was coming out of the tunnel or scoring,” Morant said. “It’s definitely love here. I’m happy every time I come back and it’s even better when you win.
Morant did not play in the fourth quarter after the Grizzlies extended their lead to 37.
The Grizzlies took a 40-26 first-quarter lead behind their All-Star point guard, who led the way with 12 points and four assists.
Memphis didn’t let go after Morant took the bench to start the second quarter, opening with a 20-9 run and eventually pushing the lead to 29 at halftime.
“We always preach about throwing that first punch and we have to have that mindset, whether we’re home or away, and we have to keep punching until the opposing team be eliminated,” Morant said.
Morant had no problem cutting his way through Charlotte’s defense. And when he missed, it looked like Adams or Jackson were there to grab the offensive rebound for a comeback.
The Grizzlies outshot the Hornets 59-44 on the glass and outscored them 64-52 in the paint.
Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins said the team’s offense continues to evolve and Morant evolves with it.
“I mean he’s still progressing,” Jenkins said. point shot, seeing him go out tonight shooting early, taking more time on the free throw line, working on it, knowing he’s a force, he’s going to get some bad calls. His game and getting on the same page as his teammates.”
The frustration was evident for the Hornets with Ball, Dennis Smith Jr. and Jalen McDaniels picking up technical fouls.
The Hornets struggled to find the offense outside of Ball and Rozier with Gordon Hayward (hamstring) and Kelly Oubre (hand) injured. Coach Steve Clifford said it’s been difficult to battle so many injuries to key players this season, but he’s trying to stay positive.
“On the other hand, if we get these guys back, things can change,” Clifford said. “It’s just difficult. Every time we start playing better…”
ADVICE
Grizzlies: Attempted 28 free throws in the first half, 20 more than the Hornets. … Played without Brandon Clarke (hip) and Ziaire Williams (knee).
Hornets: Cody Martin returned after missing 37 games with a left knee injury. Martin was injured in the team’s first game of the season and had not played since. Martin had four runs on dunks, but had two blocked shots. He said he felt out of pace because he couldn’t play 5-on-5 with his teammates in training. “It was my first race and obviously I’m not excited about it,” Martin said. “But I’m excited to be back there.”
NEXT
Grizzlies: In Orlando Thursday night.
Hornets: Open a four-game trip to Milwaukee on Friday night.
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