CHARLOTTE, N.C. _ This game was a matter of survival, and the Charlotte Hornets just barely survived at home.
Trailing by as many as 13 points in the first half, the Hornets held off a depleted Memphis Grizzlies team, 100-92, at Spectrum Center Friday.
Hornets forward Marvin Williams hit a 3-pointer with just under 3 minutes left to tie the game at 90, then grabbed a rebound off a miss by the Grizzlies' JaMychal Green. Williams followed that with another 3-pointer, off an assist from Kemba Walker (23 points), for the lead.
On the ensuing Memphis possession, Hornets center Bismack Biyombo blocked Green at the rim. The Grizzlies' Shelvin Mack fouled Biyombo, and he made one of two free throws to push Charlotte's lead to four with 1 minute, 38 seconds left.
Again, Biyombo came up big defensively, blocking Mack's drive. The Grizzlies retained possession, but center Marc Gasol missed a jump shot in the lane and Green was charged with a foul. Williams made both free throws with 1:08 left.
It was a particularly rough night for Hornets starting shooting guard Jeremy Lamb, who missed his first four shots and played only 14 minutes. He finished with six points on 2-of-7 shooting.
