Tyler Dorsey led six players in double figures with 27 points for the … The top six teams at the end of the season make the G League playoffs. The Memphis Hustle (25-21) took another huge step toward a potential playoff berth with a 126-115 victory over the Sioux Falls Skyforce (23-22) Monday night at Landers Center. With the win, the Hustle now sit a half a game ahead of Salt Lake City for fifth place in the Western Conference.
After Sioux Falls opened the game on an 8-2 run, the Hustle responded with a 13-0 run over the next 2:30 and wouldn’t trail the rest of the way, leading 43-28 after the opening frame. Memphis’ 43 points tied a season-high for points in a quarter. The home team shot 15-of-21 (.714) from the field, while also knocking down all four three-point attempts and all nine free throws, and assisted on 11 of its made baskets.
Memphis cooled off in the second quarter, despite leading by as many as 18, shooting 40.0 percent (10-25 FG) as Sioux Falls began to claw its way back into the game. The Skyforce cut the deficit to as little as seven, but Tyler Dorsey hit a three-pointer with 2.1 seconds left to give the Hustle a 70-57 halftime lead.
Sioux Falls wouldn’t go away in the third quarter, continuing to crawl back in it and further limiting Memphis from the field (9-29 FG; 2-9 3P). Despite multiple responses from the Hustle, the Skyforce came within three points late in the third. However, Dorsey ended the quarter on a high note yet again, converting an old-fashioned three-point play with 3.8 seconds left to give Memphis a 96-90 lead heading into the fourth.
The Skyforce kept it close in the final period until a quick 8-0 run by the Hustle pushed the difference back to 116-105 with 4:22 remaining in the game. Turnovers were key for the Hustle all night, which forced 22 turnovers and turned those into 33 points of their own, as Sioux Falls shot 54.0 percent (34-63 FG) from the field through three quarters before losing their touch in the fourth.
Yuta Watanabe posted his second straight double-double, scoring 26 points and grabbing a team-high 11 rebounds. Both Grizzlies assignees had big nights for Memphis. Dorsey led the Hustle with 27 points to go with six rebounds and five assists. Jevon Carter (19 points, 11 assists) was productive in all facets, posting a double-double to go with six rebounds, four steals and a block. Tarik Phillip (15 points), Julian Washburn (11 points) and Doral Moore (10 points) also reached double digits for the Hustle.Have fun with his best moments in D’ League
