The Charlotte Hornets needed one win to get a .500 win-loss ratio, and the Memphis Grizzlies were all too happy to hand that win over.
Despite shooting 46% for the game, the Griz were blown out by the Hornets, 97-79 in front of over 14,000 at the Pyramid on Sunday afternoon.
Still playing without starting point guard Jason Williams, starting off guard Michael
Dickerson, and starting center Lorenzen Wright, the Griz found themselves on the short side of every play, especially in the fourth quarter when the Hornets scored 22 points to the Griz’s 14. Also, while the Grizzlies shot over 50% through the first three quarters, the Memphis squad only cobbled together a miserable 29.4% rating in the fourth, missing 12 shots, and making only five.
“That was a poor effort,” Griz head coach Sidney Lowe said after the game. “We didn’t have energy from anyone. [The Hornets] pretty much man-handled us.”
For the Grizzlies, forward Stromile Swift scored 13 points, and pulled in eight rebounds. Forward Shane Battier scored 12 points, and pulled down eight boards as well. Forward Grant Long scored 11 points, and forward Pau Gasol and guard Rodney Buford each scored 10 points. Guard Brevin Knight scored eight points, but also tossed out 10 assists.
“We missed some shots,” Battier said after the game. “And they are a very physical basketball team. That’s not one of our strengths with all our injuries.”
For the Hornets, Center Eldon Campbell led all scorers with 19 points, guard Baron Davis scored 18 points, and handed out 10 assists, while forward P.J. Brown scored 15 points, and center Jamaal Magloire scored 13 points and pulled in 10 rebounds. Forward George Lynch and guard Lee Nailon rounded out the Hornets scoring with 12 points apiece.
The Grizzlies continue to struggle in the fourth quarter, with little relief in sight, unless one counts the All-Star break at the end of next week. However– before then– the Grizzlies still must play the Utah Jazz at the Pyramid on Tuesday, February 5, at 7 p.m., and then must travel to the Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday, February 7.
