Hustle Win Fourth Straight, Defeat Texas Legends 134-125
December 11, 2018 - NBA G League (G League)
Memphis Hustle News Release
Southaven, Miss. - The Memphis Hustle earned its fourth straight victory, defeating the Texas Legends 134-125 Monday night at Landers Center. The win marks the Hustle's second four-game winning streak this season and ties for the longest winning streak in franchise history.
The first half featured 20 lead changes and 11 ties, including 12 lead changes and seven ties in the first quarter alone. The second frame, however, saw the Legends gain a nine-point lead courtesy of a 10-0 run to start the quarter after the Hustle led 32-31 at the end of the first. Memphis responded quickly with a 10-0 run of its own to retake the lead at 44-42 with 8:04 left and the teams continued to trade baskets until the Hustle took a 70-66 lead into the break.
In the third quarter, Memphis built an 11-point lead (86-75) but the Legends wouldn't go away. Texas eventually tied the game before Tarik Phillip drew a foul while shooting a three-pointer and knocked down all three free throws to take a 97-94 lead into the final period.
Texas led for a chunk of the fourth quarter, but Marcus Keene converted a traditional three-point play to give the Hustle a 119-118 lead with 4:04 remaining that they would not relinquish. The Legends had a chance late and trailed 130-125 in the final minute, but two clutch blocks by Grizzlies assignee Ivan Rabb led to a dunk by Phillip that sealed the game. The Hustle closed the final 1:40 of the game on an 8-0 run.
The teams combined to shoot 84 free throws with Memphis holding court in that category. The team set new franchise records for free throws made (41) and attempted (47), connecting on an 87.2 percent clip. Texas would shoot 28-of-37 (.757) from the line.
Tyler Harvey led the Hustle scoring effort, tying a G League career-high with 29 points on 9-of-16 shooting (5-8 3P) to go with four assists and three steals. Harvey has scored at least 26 points in each of his three starts and is averaging 27.3 points per start. Ivan Rabb built on his NBA G League Player of the Week honors with a 25-point, 10-rebound effort. Rabb has posted a 20-10 game in each of his four appearances and the Hustle are 4-0 with Rabb in the lineup. Phillip posted a new G League career-high of 23 points to go with three assists and three steals on 9-of-15 shooting.
New addition Keene had a breakout performance with 16 points (6-10 FG, 2-3 3P) and six assists off the bench. Kyle Casey (15 points, 10 rebounds) recorded his first double-double of the season in a reserve role.
Mavericks assignee Frank Jackson had a stellar night, posting a game-high 35 points which marks a season-high for any Hustle opponent. All five Legends starters reached double digits. Two-way player Daryl Macon had 23 points and four assists. Mavericks assignee Ray Spalding and two-way player Kostas Antetokounmpo each had 21 points and nine rebounds. Spalding also posted five blocks. Keith Hornsby chipped in with 10 points.
The Hustle will embark on a six-game road trip, starting with a rematch against Midwest Division rival Oklahoma City Blue this Friday, December 14 at 7 p.m. The Hustle return to Landers Center on Thursday, January 3 at 7 p.m. to take on the Stockton Kings. Tickets are still available starting at $10 each and fans wishing to attend can purchase tickets at ticketmaster.com, the Landers Center Box Office, online at MemphisHustle.com or by calling (901) 888-HOOP.
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