The Greensboro Swarm, the NBA G League affiliate of the Charlotte Hornets, shot over 50 percent from the field to stall the Eastern Conference leading Motor City Cruise (Detroit Pistons affiliate) 120-102 on Wednesday at the Fieldhouse at the Greensboro Coliseum Complex. Arnoldas Kulboka and Jalen Crutcher combined for 52 points in the Swarm’s (6-7) second straight home win.
Motor City (12-4) came out strong by outscoring the Swarm 33-24 in the first quarter, however Greensboro would hold the lead at half, 59-53. Swarm runs of 15-6 and 11-4 occurred in the second quarter as Greensboro shot an impressive 60 percent from the field in those 12 minutes. Kulboka (nine rebounds, three assists) had 14 of his 27 points in the first half.
Greensboro did not relinquish the lead in the second half, getting ahead of the Cruise by 20-plus points on several occasions. Crutcher (nine assists, three rebounds) was effective down the stretch, scoring 11 of his 25 points in the fourth quarter.
The Swarm had three others score in double figures. Scottie Lewis added 17 points and four rebounds in 28 minutes. Cameron McGriff secured his first double-double of the season with 14 points and 10 rebounds in 24 minutes. DJ Carton continued his consistent play with 12 points, five rebounds and five assists in 33 minutes.
Motor City had its five-game winning streak snapped. Luka Garza had a team-high 22 points to go with 11 rebounds and four blocks in 30 minutes of action. Derrick Walton Jr. and Saben Lee both had 17 points, respectively. Trayvon Palmer scored 10 points off the bench.
Greensboro now hits the road for two games before All-Star Break. First, the Swarm take on the Maine Celtics (Boston Celtics affiliate) on Saturday, February 12, at 7:00 p.m. ET. Then Greensboro heads to the Capital City Go-Go (Washington Wizards affiliate) on Wednesday, February 16, for a 7:00 p.m. ET game.