Memphis Hustle Report: Texas Two-Step at Southaven

Results Week 4

Texas Legends 139 @ Memphis Hustle 129 (3-5)

Texas Legends 113 @ Memphis Hustle 120 (4-5)

Game Breakdown 8

key statistics

• Dakota Mathias- 27 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals
• Matt Hurt- 27 points, 4 rebounds
• Damien Jefferson- 17 points, 8 rebounds
• Justin Bean- 11 points, 9 rebounds, 3 steals
• Terrell Brown Jr.- 10 points, 10 assists, 2 steals

The Hustle lost their first straight game against the Texas Legends after the Thanksgiving break, largely due to Tyler Dorsey (39 points) and Grant Riller (30 points) leaving for Texas. Dakota Mathias and Matt Hurt did everything they could on offense, but the defense was mostly non-existent for the first 3 quarters of the game. You can see my full summary here.

Game Breakdown 9

Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images

Key stats:

• Matt Hurt- 22 points, 6 rebounds, 2 steals, 3 blocks
• Justin Bean- 17 points, 14 rebounds, 4 assists
• EJ Onu- 16 points
• Dakota Mathias- 16 points, 3 assists
• Terrell Brown Jr.- 13 points, 5 assists
• Jacob Gilyard- 8 points, 9 assists

The Hustle won a thriller in their rematch against the Texas Legends on OT last night. The Legends were without the leading scorer from the previous night’s game in Tyler Dorsey and the Hustle took the lead despite the Legends getting 32 points from Grant Riller. The Hustle was led in the first quarter by Justin Bean with Matt Hurt and EJ Onu as constant pick and roll threats. Throw in some late feats from Dakota Mathias and the Hustle earned their first overtime win of the season under the new Elam Ending rules. See my full summary here.

Hustle Stats

7: I mentioned it in Game 9 Breakdown, but Elam’s ending is a lot of fun. In overtime periods during Showcase Cup schedules, the 2-minute overtime period is replaced with the Elam finish. The first team to score 7 points and reach the “target score” wins the game. For example, last night both teams were tied at 113 at the end of regulation, making 120 the “target score.” Create unique strategies for teams and how they choose to close out games. For the Hustle, they were lucky to win the lead and score 4 points quickly, but then they began to settle for three-pointers to try and finish the game. A Jason timeout emphasized the focus on the paint before a fast-break opportunity set up the game-winning Dakota Mathias. Every possession counts in a standard overtime period, but it feels more intense when you have a target score versus a ticking clock.

MVP of the Week – Justin Bean

Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images

Justin Bean may not have had the scoring streak that Mathias (21.5 ppg) and Hurt (24.5 ppg) did this week, but Bean really showed his value as a glue guy with the Hustle in his performances this week. week. He averaged 14 points, 11.5 rebounds, 2 assists and 1.5 steals per game against the Legends. Bean also does so many things that don’t show up in the traditional scorecard. He’s always throwing missed shots, which really helps the Hustle in the rebounding battle when he’s not pulling the board himself. He makes smart plays and seems to always be in the right place at the right time. Taking his own shot that was blocked to Mathias for the game-winner last night was just a glimpse of the high IQ Bean has on the pitch. The resurgence of Matt Hurt was a big story this week, as was Mathias’ ever-consistent output, but it’s Bean who takes home the glory this week.

assignment tracker

The Hustle were without both two-way players and had no assignments in this week’s matchups. What was initially thought to be a fun battle between Jaden Hardy and Kenneth Lofton Jr. turned into unassigned players and just a monster game from Mavs two-way player Tyler Dorsey.

Week 5 Preview

Photo by Michael Gonzales/NBAE via Getty Images

Memphis Hustle @ Austin Spurs (4-5) 12/2 7:30 PM CT

Memphis Hustle vs. Mexico City Capitanes (6-5) 7 PM CT

Game Preview 10: The Hustle hit the road for a game against the Spurs in Austin. Naturally, the Spurs were Hustle’s first overtime game of the season with the finish to Elam, where they lost 102-99. The Hustle had both two-way players for that matchup and unless the Grizzlies’ injury is shortened for Friday, the Hustle will have to replace their combined 43 points. Fortunately for them, Alize Johnson (27 points in the previous matchup) was recently called up and signed by the San Antonio Spurs, so it is also assumed that she will not have her services. Whichever team responds best without their key players from the previous matchup is likely to win. The Spurs still have solid guys like Tommy Kuhse and Chaundee Brown Jr., but the Hustle are a deeper team and should continue to improve their Showcase Cup standing.

Game Preview 11: The Hustle will then return home to take on one of the most confusing teams in the Showcase Cup in the Mexico City Capitanes. The Hustle split the series in Mexico City earlier this year, and the potential availability of Kenneth Lofton Jr. could be instrumental to this matchup. Neither Shabazz Napier nor Jahlil Okafor played in the last Captains game a few days ago, so their availability seems to be in doubt. Without them, the Captains are weaker but still have solid guys like Bruno Caboclo, Mason Jones and Gary Clark that the Hustle will need to slow down.

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