Indiana Pacers: Player grades from 126-114 win over Grizzlies
By Justin Byers
In the second game of a four-game homestand, the Indiana Pacers hosted Ja Morant and the Memphis Grizzlies. In a physical battle, the Pacers continued their streak with a 126-114 win over the Grizzlies.
In the second contest of a four-game homestand, the Indiana Pacers welcomed rookie Ja Morant and Indiana native Jaren Jackson Jr. into Banker’s Life Fieldhouse.
The Memphis Grizzlies are a team filled with youth but most certainly have a promising future.
The Grizzlies faced the Pacers for the first time this season and gave a full effort. However, the effort was not enough to garner a win over the Pacers.
The Pacers are slowly returning to full health and that was evident as the original starting five of Malcolm Brogdon, Jeremy Lamb, T.J. Warren, Domantas Sabonis, and Myles Turner got back to action.
Brogdon returned after missing the last three games due to back spasms and didn’t skip a beat.
The Grizzlies were put to the test during all four quarters. Morant would go down with a back injury late in the first half which would shift the momentum in the Pacers’ favor.
Morant would later return midway through the third quarter but the Grizzlies were unable to climb back in the contest with his help.
Despite an impressive performance by Jackson Jr. in front of family and friends, the youth of Memphis seemed to be the team’s shortcoming against a veteran-led Indiana team.
The game would be a physical battle and both teams would have their toughness tested but luckily for Coach Nate McMillan and his staff, the Pacers prevailed.
Here is how the players graded in the 126-114 win over the Grizzlies: