Miles Bridges poured in 27 points and rookie Vasilije Micic posted a career-best 25 points as the Charlotte Hornets pulled off a rarity with a relatively smooth outing to defeat the host Memphis Grizzlies 110-98 on Wednesday night.
Charlotte won for just the second time in its last nine games. The Hornets snapped a five-game road skid, improving to 8-26 in away games.
Micic, who delivered eight assists, shot 9-for-10 from the field with five 3-pointers. Grant Williams tacked on 18 points off the bench and Tre Mann, who had been out for more than a week with an injury, and Brandon Miller each contributed 10 points for the Hornets.
Adding to the oddity was that Charlotte won despite low free-throw production (9-for-13) and committing 20 turnovers.
GG Jackson led the Grizzlies, who had won three of their previous five games, with 26 points, including six 3-point baskets.
Luke Kennard provided 17 points, Trey Jemison had 14, John Konchar tallied 13 points and reserve Jordan Goodwin notched 12 points.
It could have been dicey for the Hornets after Memphis went on a 9-0 to move to within 90-83. But Charlotte doubled the margin to 100-86 with four minutes left.
The turnovers piled up rapidly on both sides. Memphis ended up with 21 giveaways as Charlotte completed a season sweep in the two meetings.
The Hornets held an 18-point lead late in the second quarter, but that was reduced to 56-46 by halftime. The Grizzlies scored eight points in the last 70 seconds of the half.
Memphis closed within four in the third quarter only to have Charlotte stretch the margin to 80-70 going to the fourth quarter. The Grizzlies didn’t score in the final 3:45 of the third quarter.
The Hornets flowed in the first half on the strength of 19 points from Bridges and 53.3 percent shooting from the field.
The only two free throws attempted in the first half for either team were made by DeJon Jarreau of Memphis.
–Field Level Media
