Kyle Anderson made a career-high six 3-pointers, part of a Memphis franchise-record 23 made from beyond the arc, and the Grizzlies routed the Charlotte Hornets 130-114 Wednesday at FedExForum in Memphis.
The Grizzlies clung to a narrow 70-68 lead at halftime, but Anderson opened the second half with four consecutive 3-pointers. Dillon Brooks, who shot 4-for-8 from long range en route to 20 points, added a fifth, and Memphis was off to the races in a 31-15 third quarter.
The big period proved decisive for the Grizzlies, who pushed their lead to as many as 23 points in the fourth quarter. Seven Memphis players scored in double figures, led by Anderson’s 27 points.
Ja Morant posted a double-double with 15 points and 11 assists, Jonas Valanciunas added his own double-double of 12 points and 15 rebounds, and Desmond Bane shot 4-for-8 from 3-point range on the way to 18 points.
Grayson Allen (18 points) and Tyus Jones (12 points) got in on the record-setting shooting night with 5-of-12 and 3-of-4 performances, respectively.
The Grizzlies shot 46.9 percent from long range as a team, paced by Anderson’s 75 percent. With its deluge, Memphis became the fourth different opponent to make a season-high or better against the Hornets on the campaign.
Memphis snapped a four-game losing skid with the win.
Terry Rozier matched Anderson’s six made 3-pointers, going 6-of-9 including a buzzer-beater just before halftime. He led all scorers with 34 points.
Rookie LaMelo Ball, who made seven 3-pointers in Charlotte’s win over Houston on Monday, went just 1-for-4 from long range in Memphis. He opened Wednesday’s with a slam dunk, the first two of his 17 points.
Miles Bridges (10 rebounds) and Gordon Hayward each added 15 points for the Hornets, who begin a five-game homestand on Friday against Minnesota. Memphis travels to Los Angeles to face the reigning NBA champion Lakers on Friday, the first of a two-game weekend swing through California as the Grizzlies then face Sacramento on Sunday.
–Field Level Media