Charlotte Hornets vs. Memphis Grizzlies   

Charlotte Hornets vs. Memphis Grizzlies   

February 10, 2024 at 7:00 p.m.

Spectrum Center
333 E Trade St.
Charlotte, NC 28202

Tickets: $29 plus

The Hornets will face the Memphis Grizzlies for the first time this season on Saturday night at Spectrum Center. The Grizzlies are on a seven-game losing streak, and currently sit in 13th place in the Western Conference standings. Ja Morant has been ruled out for the season, after suffering a subluxation of his right shoulder during a training session in January. The Grizzlies star guard played in only nine games, after serving a 25-game suspension to start the season. 

The Hornets will be looking to break a 10-game losing streak and an eight-game skid at home. Following the trade deadline, Charlotte chose to waive three backcourt players (James Bouknight, Frank Ntilikina, and Ish Smith), after the trades that brought in Tre Mann, Grant Williams, Davis Bertans, Seth Curry, and Vasilije Micic. The new acquisitions are expected to suit up for the first time Saturday night against the Grizzlies. 

Seth Curry on playing for the hometown Hornets, the team he grew up watching his dad play for: “I always wanted to put that jersey on. Wearing 30, so it’s kind of like a full-circle moment being back.” pic.twitter.com/H2DlBRK8M5

— CLTure® ( culture ) (@CLTure) February 10, 2024

Celebrating Anniversary Night, the Hornets will wear their Classic Edition uniforms, a design that echoes the second-generation Hornets look from 1997-2002. The team will also honor Gerald Wallace at halftime, giving away commemorative posters of the Bobcats legend to the first 5,000 fans entering Spectrum Center. 

Hornets honoring Bobcats legend Gerald “Crash” Wallace at halftime tonight. For those who had the pleasure of watching Wallace, know how fitting his nickname is. pic.twitter.com/5NT7BSdZ9N

— CLTure® ( culture ) (@CLTure) February 11, 2024

What to watch for: 

The Memphis Grizzlies rank last in the NBA in offensive rating (107.6), but rank 11th in the NBA in defensive rating (113.8). Jaren Jackson Jr. serves as the defensive anchor for Memphis, coming off his first All-Star season last year, also being named 2023 NBA Defensive Player of the Year.

The Hornets will need to play inside-out, focusing on paint touches in order to generate good shots. Hornets head coach Steve Clifford shared the sentiment in the postgame press conference, citing Wednesday’s loss to the Raptors was a result of “lack of ball movement.”

Memphis forward Ziaire Williams (hand) is likely out for Saturday’s game and Derrick Rose (ankle) is listed as questionable. Newly acquired players Lamar Stevens and Yuta Watanabe are listed as game-time decisions for the Grizzlies. 

LaMelo Ball (ankle) and Mark Williams (back) are listed as out against the Grizzlies. 

Inside the Numbers: 

• Miles Bridges scored 86 points in his last two home games, the second most by a Hornets player in a two-game span in franchise history (103, Kemba Walker, November 17-19, 2018).
• Brandon Miller scored at least 20 points in six straight games from January 29 through February 7, the second-longest streak by a rookie this season (10, Victor Wembanyama). Miller’s streak is the second-longest by a rookie in franchise history. Alonzo Mourning owns the record with 13-straight 20-point games. 

Jeremy Grandison is a Charlotte native and contributing sports writer for CLTure. He also hosts his own podcast, Lock It or Leave It.

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