The Memphis Grizzlies returned to their roots with a stifling defensive performance in a 96-84 win against the Indiana Pacers at FedExForum on Saturday evening.
The Grizzlies (15-14) won both games of the season series against the Pacers (16-10) by a combined 21 points.
Memphis never extended its lead past 14 in the game, but did not allow the Pacers to make any extended run. Although the Grizzlies did not lead wire-to-wire, Indiana did grab a small lead in the third quarter before Memphis quickly took it back, the Grizzlies led for all but 2:37 of the game.
The Grizzlies also held a strong-shooting Indiana team to 39.0 percent (30-of-77 FG) from the field, and 17.9 percent (5-of-28 FG) on three pointers, which was a season low for Memphis opponents this season. Although Indiana was able to grab 13 offensive rebounds, the Memphis defense only allowed them to turn it into eight second chance points.
Point guards Mike Conley and Mario Chalmers were each aggressive in getting to the hoop and drawing fouls. Both made eight trips to the line and hit seven (87.5 percent) and six (75.0 percent) of their attempts, respectively. Conley led the team with 20 points and added a game-high eight assists.
Marc Gasol recorded his seventh double-double of the season with 19 points and a game-high 12 rebounds. He also added eight assists and led all players with four steals.
Matt Barnes was once again a big factor for Memphis in the win. The forward picked up another double-double with a 15-point, 10-rebound performance, including hitting half of his six three-pointers.
Everyone played a role for Memphis, including swingman Vince Carter. Carter has kept himself ready for when he’s called upon, and tonight was one of those nights as the veteran scored nine points on 3-of-5 (60 percent) shooting and added two assists in a season-high tying 22 minutes.
Although he led all scorers with 29 points, the Grizzlies forced Paul George to work hard for each and every one. He shot 8-of-22 (36.3 percent) from the field, and at a 4-of-12 clip (33.3 percent) from beyond the arc. He was also hounded into seven turnovers.
Tonight marked the first time Indiana lost when reserve center Jordan Hill earned a double-double (5-1). He came off the bench to score 10 points and led all players with 13 rebounds.
After the Pacers took a 48-46 lead off a George Hill floater with 10:13 remaining in the third quarter, the Grizzlies quickly struck back with a three-pointer from Barnes after he battled for a couple of offensive rebounds to keep the possession alive and give Memphis the lead for good.
The Grizzlies quickly extended the lead to 10, 58-48, but Indiana chipped away to get it to four heading into the final frame. Chalmers opened the fourth with a layup, and by the first official timeout of the quarter with 8:51 to play, Memphis held a 76-68 advantage, which is as close as it would get from there.
Memphis heads back on the road for a rematch against the Philadelphia 76ers on Dec. 22 at 6 p.m. CT.
