Story by
The Lebanon Reporter, Ind.
Pacers find a way against Grizzlies
- Story byThe Lebanon Reporter, Ind.
- Pacers find a way against Grizzlies
Coming off a game where the Indiana Pacers played only six players, the Pacers were able to hand the Memphis Grizzlies their second loss of the season.
The Pacers (3-6) defeated the Grizzlies (6-2) 107-103 in a matchup that saw a few injured Pacers return to action. It is the first win for Indiana since Oct. 25.
Advertisement
Ivica Zubac returned to action, although in limited fashion, as he played only 19 minutes and was rather ineffective. The big man was 0-for-5 from the field with four rebounds, two assists and two turnovers.
Zubac had the worst plus/minus between the two teams with -22. Regardless, having the center on the floor for Indiana is still a positive after his left ankle sprain injury saw him sit for five games.
The Pacers got off to a quick start, taking a 32-24 lead after the first quarter.
Purdue alum Braden Smith had the opportunity to start against former teammate Zach Edey, who is now the Grizzlies' big man.
Advertisement
Smith was 5-for-9 from the field with 10 points, five assists, two steals and two blocks.
The routine starters made the biggest impact for the Pacers, with Andrew Nembhard leading Indiana in scoring with 22 points. Pascal Siakam added 20 points, and Aaron Nesmith scored 16.
Indiana head coach Rick Carlisle said the win took a full effort from everybody, and said Memphis is a very good team with a lot of athletes and weapons.
"We had to do some soul searching heading into this game," Carlisle said. "We have not been playing up to a consistent level of intensity, force and collective will. The group who played in the Atlanta game, I thought, gave us a spark and it was meaningful.
Advertisement
"Tonight, we just drew a line in the sand and decided we were not going to go away."
The Pacers forced Memphis to cough up 19 turnovers, and Carlisle said positioning with rotations was a big factor in getting those turnovers.
"Over the course of 48 minutes and over 100 possessions on offense and defense, that makes a difference," Carlisle said. "The basketball gods are a little friendlier to you when you are doing the little dirty things that make the difference in the margins."
The Pacers' defense held the Grizzlies to 27% from three (12-for-44). Memphis came into the matchup shooting nearly 40% from deep, leading the NBA, but the Pacers' defense was able to subdue the attack beyond the arc.
Advertisement
Carlisle said Jarace Walker might not get a ton of mention after only scoring two points, but his effort and rebounding ability came up big for Indiana. Walker grabbed eight rebounds off the bench for the Pacers.
"He did a lot of good things," Carlisle said.
Quenton Jackson led scoring from the bench with 13 points on 4-for-9 shooting from the field and was 3-for-5 from three.
The Pacers were able to close out the game in the fourth quarter after two back-to-back dunks from Obi Toppin to take a three-point lead with four minutes remaining. Siakam hit two mid-range shots before Nesmith hit an and-one 3-point dagger from the corner with 0:13.8 left on the clock.
UP NEXT: The Pacers will travel to Mexico City Nov. 7 to face the Denver Nuggets at 5 p.m. before heading to Dallas to face the Mavericks Nov. 9 at 8 p.m.
