SUMMARY
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In their first game since parting ways with Filipino wunderkind Kai Sotto, the NBA G League Ignite squeaked past the Memphis Hustle, 104-101, on Wednesday, February 24 (Thursday, February 25, Manila time) at the Disney World bubble in Orlando, Florida.
With the win, Ignite avoided their second losing streak of the season, and instead rose to 6-3 in the standings, tied for 4th place with the Santa Cruz Warriors and Austin Spurs. Meanwhile, Memphis sunk to 14th with a 3-6 slate.
Veteran guard Jarrett Jack led Ignite’s comeback effort with a game-high 22 points off the bench while Congolese prospect Jonathan Kuminga added 17 markers, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks.
Daishen Nix and Isaiah Todd, meanwhile, added 11 and 10 points, respectively, off the bench.
Fil-Am Jalen Green only had 10 points on a paltry 4-of-15 clip, but nonetheless delivered when it mattered most with 5 straight markers in the last 2:28 of regulation to keep a 100-97 lead.
Ignite’s clutch play continued after Kuminga fouled out at the 1:29 mark as Jack sank a patented mid-range jumper for the 102-97 lead with 1:02 left.
Although Tyrell Terry rattled in 4 quick points to get Memphis within one, 101-102, he bungled the last play as Jack stole the ball, and sunk the game-sealing free throws off the quick foul with 3.3 ticks left.
Sweet-shooting big man Bennie Boatwright led the Hustle in the losing effort with 21 points on 7-of-15 shooting, and 5-of-13 from downtown while Terry added 19 markers.
After setting the tone early in the 3rd quarter by leading as many as 13, 59-46, Memphis kept its distance in the frame’s first few minutes, and still led by 12, 71-59, at the 6:31 mark following a Terry short stab.
However, Ignite sparked new life into their comeback quest, and took turns building an 11-0 run, capped by a Nix two-point free throw with 3:45 left to get within one, 70-71.
After teetering on the brink of taking their first lead since leading 24-21 in the 1st quarter, Ignite finally went ahead, 90-89, at the 7-minute mark of the 4th frame with an easy Cody Demps layup off the Kuminga feed.
Both teams then traded leads as they headed towards a thrilling endgame that resulted in Ignite’s second win in the last 5 games.
Ignite will only get a one-day break in their brutal schedule before facing the Salt Lake City Stars, their sixth opponent in 9 days, in the first game of yet another back-to-back set to end the month. – Rappler.com
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