Balanced scoring carries Pacers past short-handed Grizzlies

Full Screen
1 / 8

Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved

Indiana Pacers forward Justin Holiday (8) handles the ball against Memphis Grizzlies guard Marko Guduric (23) in the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Dec. 2, 2019, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)

MEMPHIS, TN – Malcolm Brogdon scored 19 points, Domantas Sabonis added 18 and the Indiana Pacers beat the depleted Memphis Grizzlies 117-104 on Monday night.

Seven players scored in double figures for the balanced Pacers, including Myles Turner with 17 points. Jeremy Lamb and Justin Holiday had 15 apiece, with Holiday missing only one of his six 3-point attempts.

Recommended Videos



Jaren Jackson Jr. led Memphis with a season-high 31 points. Solomon Hill moved into the starting lineup and added 22, also a season best. Dillon Brooks finished with 19 on 7-of-16 shooting.

The Grizzlies were short-handed as five players — all key parts of the rotation — sat out with various ailments. That left reserves to try and play with any kind of rhythm.

For the most part, it was unsuccessful.

The Pacers continuously built the lead and stretched it to 85-73 by the end of the third quarter, when all five starters had already reached double figures.

T.J. Warren and Sabonis provided the offensive push for the frontcourt, scoring 14 and 10 points respectively, while Brogdon already had 12 to help Indiana take a 57-47 lead at halftime.

TIP-INS

Pacers: Defeated Memphis 126-114 last Monday. ... Sabonis has reached double figures in all 18 games he’s played this season. He also recorded his 15th double-double of the season. … Warren was held to 14 points, all in the first half. He had at least 23 in three of his previous four games.

Grizzlies: Played without both their first-round rookies. G Ja Morant is nursing a sore back sustained in last Monday’s loss at Indiana, and F Brandon Clarke is dealing with left hip soreness. Meanwhile, forward Kyle Anderson also sat out with right heel soreness. C Jonas Valančiūnas was out with an illness. … Tyus Jones started in Morant’s place, and Hill replace Valančiūnas .

UP NEXT

Pacers: Travel to Oklahoma City to play the Thunder on Wednesday night.

Grizzlies: Play at Chicago on Wednesday night.

___

More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/tag/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports