Pacers snap losing streak and beat Grizzlies: Five things learned
The Pacers are back in the win column.
MY OFFICE CHAIR – The Pacers... got a few players back from injury? And had more than six guys available on Wednesday night in Memphis? Is that allowed?
Ivica Zubac and Obi Toppin returned from multi-game absences. Pascal Siakam, Andrew Nembhard, Aaron Nesmith, and Larry Nance, were all back after sitting out Monday night. Finally, the Pacers had a real rotation.
Their opponent, the Grizzlies, have been playing well this year. They are 6-1 and were the last team to lose a game – and they entered Wednesday having not been defeated in regulation all season. At one point, this appeared to be a less challenging game for the Pacers. That was not the case. Memphis is good.
What did we learn in Pacers vs Grizzlies?
Tony East
Braden Smith kept producing
After a breakout game with 19 points and 10 assists on Monday, head coach Rick Carlisle opted to start rookie guard Braden Smith for the second-straight game. Doing so put two point guards in the opening lineup.
That paid off early, both in terms of the Pacers offensive flow and Smith's individual production. On the Grizzlies first two possessions, for example, Smith forced two turnovers.
The rookie guard made all three of his first-quarter shots, adding four assists and two steals in just that period. It was a brilliant start from the 38th overall pick, who was going against former Purdue teammate Zach Edey.
Smith's statistical output faded after a terrific first quarter, but he still played solid basketball for the rest of the game – even making up for his worst plays that are expected for a rookie.
Smith's final stat line in 23 minutes: 10 points, five assists.
The Grizzlies lived in the paint
Between Edey's size, Ty Jerome's amazing season, and a few great shooters, the Grizzlies spacing and rim pressure is excellent. And they were making life hard on the Pacers defense as a result.
Memphis scored 14 points in the paint in the first quarter, and all but two of their other points came from spray-out threes. In the second and third quarters, the Grizzlies added 16 more paint points.
"We're just trying to stop them from getting the shots they want. No easiness at the rim," center Jay Huff said of the Pacers defense during a halftime interview on the DAZN broadcast of the game.
The Pacers were defending okay and moving well compared to some of their other outings this season, but they were having trouble keeping the hosts away from the cup. After three quarters, the Grizzlies had a 46-30 edge in points in the paint. The Pacers needed to be better in the fourth quarter.
And they were. The final differences in points in the paint: Memphis 54, Indiana 46.
Two point guard lineups returned
With Smith heavily involved in the rotation, the Pacers could turn to lineups with two of Smith, Nembhard, and Quenton Jackson on the floor at the same time.
That's when the Pacers are at their best: When they have multiple shot creators generating, and keeping, advantages. It's no surprise that the offense flowed well for much of this game.
The limited minutes with Smith and Jackson together went very well for the Pacers. In general, having more initiators is always a good thing for this Pacers group. It is now possible with Smith a more trusted option.
Ivica Zubac struggled
Zubac, playing in his first game since October 25 and battling with Edey, really struggled in his return to the court.
To Zubac's credit, he made Edey work for all of his production. But the production was lopsided in the Memphis big man's favor, and Zubac struggled to finish any of his shots as a result.
Zubac started the game 0/4 from the field and was getting outrebounded 10-3 by Edey at the time. The Pacers big man added two assists, but the team was losing his minutes by 21 points by the middle of the fourth quarter.
The Pacers needed more production from their big man. They weren't getting it.
Zubac's final stat line: One point, four rebounds, two assists.
The Pacers made important shots late
In crunch time, the Pacers needed to keep humming on offense. The Grizzlies, largely thanks to Jerome, have been an awesome late-game team this season.
Toppin made a few crucial plays in the final minutes, especially in transition. Jackson drilled a huge three-point jumper. Nance dunked after a great pass from Nembhard.
Those were critical shots. Then, Siakam entered with about two minutes to go and did his thing. At first, that was a jumper over rookie forward Cam Boozer. Then, it was an and-one over Jerome.
The final bucket was a three from Nesmith, who drew a foul in the process. That, plus some key late plays from Jarace Walker, put the game away.
It was a team effort late, and the Pacers found just enough openings to score and keep their lead. They beat the Grizzlies 107-103, becoming the first team to beat Memphis in regulation this year. The Pacers are 3-6.
Thank you for reading. The Pacers next head to Mexico City, where they'll take on the Denver Nuggets in a "home" game. A story from that game, and more, coming soon.
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