Memphis will take its six game win streak on the road as Jaren Jackson Jr. scored 25 points to lead the Grizzlies over a fast-starting Pacers unit 136-121 on Sunday, Dec. 1 to wrap up a four-game homestand.
The Grizzlies started the second quarter with a 45-28 deficit. Indiana connected on seven three-point shots – including a buzzer-beating corner three from Jarace Walker – while the Grizzlies struggled to find an offensive flow early.
“I’m glad we won. This is one of my favorite wins, because we were losing. It took a lot of energy. It wasn’t clean, it was messy. Everything was everywhere. We made it happen defensively, to keep the win streak alive,” said Jackson.
Memphis’ record improves to 14-7. They currently reside in third place in the Western Conference standings.
Once again, Memphis’ leading scorer efficiently provided a chunk of the team’s scoring, going 8-16 from the field, including 3-6 from long range. He also grabbed a team-high eight rebounds. Jackson currently averages 22.2 points per game.
Memphis managed to chip away at the lead in the second quarter, after Indiana cooled off from deep. Following spot up three by Ja Morant, the team’s fourth all-time leader in assists began to get his teammates involved. These include inside dishes to Brandon Clarke and Jake LaRavia. The latter came on a fast break that was started by a Morant steal.
“I am thankful they are in their right spots. We just take what the defense gives us and make them pay for it,” said Morant.
With eight assists on the night, Morant also passed 2,000 career assists during the game. With 2,002, he needs 67 to pass Jason Williams as third on the list.
The Grizzlies started the third quarter aggressively. A 6-0 run tied the game 68-68. A Morant three-pointer gave the Grizzlies their first lead of the second half, 76-73. The lead was pushed to 102-91 to start the fourth.
The Pacers were held to 23 points in the second and third quarters.
Seven Grizzlies scored in double figures. Morant scored 19 points on 6-13 shooting. Desmond Bane also appears to be rounding into form with 19 points, after hitting 6-13 attempts. Rookie Jaylen Wells also chipped in 13 points and six rebounds.
“It was definitely not a great show in the first quarter. I thought they had a lot of momentum with their ball movement, body movement. I thought we were getting great looks on the offensive side,” said Wells. “We just didn’t have our game legs going in the first quarter. We weren’t playing with the pace that we needed to.”
Memphis also continues to get good production from its second unit. Marcus Smart scored 16 points and added six assists, while bench big Santi Aldama kept pace with 15 points and six boards.
Both Smart and Morant recently returned from injuries.
“What makes it so special is that we can win in different ways. We had different guys in different lineups and in different roles,” said Smart. “Every one has contributed to the best of their ability. Being versatile and coming up with those types of wins, even when they don’t look good like tonight.”
The Pacers had six players score in double figures. Benedict Mathurin returned to the lineup with 19 points and nine rebounds. It was his first game back after missing 12 games with a knee injury.
Pascal Siakam contributed 17 points, while Obi Toppin finished with 16 off the bench. Starting center Myles Turner had 12 points and six rebounds.
Next up, the Grizzlies travel to Dallas Tuesday, Dec. 2 to face the Mavericks (13-8). Tipoff is at 7 p.m.
