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CHARLOTTE, NC (AP) – The preseason game between two of the NBA’s top young pointers turned out to be a mismatch.
Ja Morant had 16 points, eight assists, five rebounds and two blocks in under 24 minutes of action, helping the Memphis Grizzlies defeat LaMelo Ball and the Charlotte Hornets by 128-98 on Thursday night. Ball, the NBA Rookie of the Year last season, struggled to finish his shot with 13 points on 5 of 17 shots.
Desmond Bane added 19 points and new Grizzlies center Steven Adams topped the paint with 15 points and 16 rebounds against a Hornets team that played without starters Gordon Hayward and Mason Plumlee due to health and safety protocols and from the first reserve Kelly Oubre, who was absent with a sprained right ankle.
Terry Rozier finished with 21 points to lead the Hornets, while rookie James Bouknight added 17 points.
The Grizzlies took a 30-point halftime lead after keeping the Hornets 32 percent from shots in the first half.
“Our guys come in and set the tone on the offensive side, but it starts on the defensive side too,” said Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins.
Jenkins said he loved what Adams brought to the team, especially when working near the top of the wrench in the pick and roll with Morant.
“He’s learning a new system, new teammates, new coaches and new terminology, but he’s building on his strengths,” Jenkins said.
Asked about opportunities to get some rebounds off Morant’s duds, Adams laughed and said, “You guess he’s going to miss it, mate.”
“Someone like him, he’s a lot of fun to watch,” Adams added of Morant. “He’s an incredible and very fast athlete.
Hornets coach James Borrego was not happy with his team’s slow start.
“If we think it’s acceptable then we’re in trouble,” Borrego said. ”… We have to fight harder. There are areas everywhere that we need to clean up.
Borrego said he had no information on how long Hayward and Plumlee were away.
76ERS 125, RAPTORS 113
PHILADELPHIA (AP) – George Niang scored 16 points and Seth Curry scored 15 and Philadelphia beat Toronto. Niang and Curry each buried four 3-point points and combined to go from 8 to 15 deep.
Isaiah Joe scored 15 points, Tobias Harris and Tyrese Maxey each have 14 and Joel Embiid added 10 in 20 minutes of action.
The Sixers shot 47 of 87 (54%) including 18 of 37 (48.6%) from beyond the 3-point arc.
Philadelphia dominated Toronto 44-33 in the second quarter and had eight double-digit players.
OG Anunoby scored 22 points for Toronto. Fred VanVleet added 17.
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