VIPERS DROP SEASON OPENER
By Rio Grande Valley Vipers Staff /November 12, 2023
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MEMPHIS, Tenn. (Nov. 10, 2023) – The Rio Grande Valley Vipers (0-1), the NBA G League affiliate of the Houston Rockets, dropped its season opener 123-117 against the Memphis Hustle (1-0) on Friday night at Landers Center.
Memphis jumped to an early lead over the Vipers, but the Vipers came back and tied the game 8-8 with 9:54 to go in the first quarter. Memphis then went on an 8-0 run and took a 16-8 lead over the Vipers, but RGV came from behind and tied the game 18-18 with 4:26 on the clock. RGV took a slight 20-18 lead, but Memphis picked up the momentum and obtained a 10-point advantage over the visiting team which resulted in a score of 37-27 at the end of the first.
In the second quarter, the Hustle maintained a 10-point lead for the first two minutes of the quarter. RGV then cut that lead to two points and set the score at 45-43 in favor of the Hustle with 6:40 to go. The Vipers continued to push, but with 2:21 left Memphis was back to having a 10-point lead with a score of 65-55. The game went into halftime with the Vipers trailing 71-64.
During the third quarter the Vipers attempted to make a comeback, but the third quarter ended 100-91 in favor of the Hustle. In the fourth quarter the Vipers clipped the Hustles lead to just five points, but despite the Vipers efforts Memphis pulled away with a 123-117 victory.
Jarrett Culver paved the way for the Vipers with 24 points followed by Houston Rockets Two-Way player Nate Hinton who posted a double-double with 20 points and 11 rebounds. Both Darius Days and Houston Rockets assignment, Cam Whitmore, contributed 19 points each. Houston Rockets Two-Way player Jermaine Samuels Jr. finished with 10 points.
David Johnson led Memphis with 27 points followed by Memphis Grizzlies Two-Way player GG Jackson with 25 points and Jason Preston with 17 points. Matt Hurt contributed 13 points. Adonis Arms finished with 11 points. Also scoring in the double digits was Loudon Love with 10 points.
The Vipers return to the court tomorrow night at 7:00 p.m. CST for a rematch against the Memphis Hustle at Landers Center. The game may be livestreamed at www.NBAGLeague.com.