Desmond Bane's big 2nd half boosts Grizzlies over Pacers
Dec 21, 2023; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Desmond Bane (22) shoots as Indiana Pacers guard Buddy Hield (7) defends during the first half at FedExForum. credits: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports Desmond Bane scored 22 of his 31 points in the second half and Jaren Jackson Jr. added 21 points as the Memphis Grizzlies beat the visiting Indiana Pacers 116-103 on Thursday night.
Ja Morant had 20 points, eight assists and five rebounds in his home debut this season after serving a 25-game suspension for holding a gun in multiple videos last spring. Zaire Williams chipped in 16 points and Santi Aldama had 13.
Obi Toppin scored 22 points for Indiana, which lost for the fifth time in its last six games. Tyrese Haliburton had 17 points and 14 assists, Myles Turner and Buddy Hield scored 15 apiece and Aaron Nesmith added 14.
Jackson converted a three-point play to give Memphis a 105-88 lead with 5:59 remaining, and the Grizzlies held on for their second straight win following a five-game losing streak.
Memphis won for just the second time in 13 home games this season after shooting 51.8 percent from the field and 16 of 35 (45.7 percent) from 3-point range.
Indiana was held to a season-low point total after entering the game as the league's top-scoring team at 128 points per game.
Jackson scored 14 points in the opening quarter for Memphis, which led 35-22 at the end of the period after shooting 63.6 percent from the field.
The Grizzlies extended their lead to 52-29 midway through the second quarter before Indiana closed on a 27-6 run to cut the deficit to 58-56 at the half.
Toppin scored 13 points in the half to lead the Pacers, who took their first lead of the game at 65-62 on Haliburton's 3-pointer with 9:24 left in the third quarter.
Williams hit a 3-pointer with three seconds left in the period to put Memphis ahead 86-77 after three quarters. Bane had 13 points in the period.
Memphis has won its last five meetings against Indiana, which connected on 42.2 percent of its shots, including 18 of 52 (34.6 percent) from beyond the arc.
—Field Level Media
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