Dec

26

Grizzlies Rally Late, Edge Pacers 108-105

Posted by Stephen Rhodes under NBA Game Recap 

For right now, it looks like Memphis Grizzlies head coach Marc Iavaroni’s job is safe as they have played some improved ball the past week or so; perhaps some proof of their progression as a team took place on Friday night when they hosted the Indiana Pacers at FedEx Forum.  Both teams shot very well – Indiana shot 53.8% while Memphis shot 52.6% – yet the Grizzlies managed to erase a 17-point deficit late in the game; the end result was an impressive 108-105 win by Memphis over Indiana.

Both teams shot very well in the first half, with the Pacers outscoring the Grizzlies 36-23 in the first quarter while the Grizzlies outshot the Pacers in the second quarter 36-32 – with Indiana going into halftime with a 68-59 lead.  Memphis slowly cut into the Pacers’ lead, then eliminated it in the third quarter; a pair of free throws by Brandon Rush gave the Pacers an 87-86 lead going into the final period.

Ther Grizzlies trailed 101-99 with 4 minutes remaining in the game, then went on a small 7-0 run, including a pair of baskets by Marc Gasol and a three-point play by Hakim Warrick sandwiched in-between.  That blitz gave Memphis a 106-101 lead; a pair of free throws by O.J. Mayo made it 108-105, which closed out the game’s scoring.

Memphis’ had seven players in double-digits, led by Warrick from off the bench with 21 points, 5 rebounds, an assist and 2 blocked shots while Mayo added 18 with 8 rebounds and 7 assists.  Indiana was led by Marquis Daniels with 28 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals while Danny Granger added 26 (including 4 three-pointers) with 5 rebounds, 5 assists, a steal and 2 blocked shots; Roy Hibbert pitched in, scoring 15 with 2 rebounds, an assist and a blocked shot in only 12 minutes of playing time while Rasho Nesterovic had a solid effort, scoring 14 with 9 rebounds, an assist and a blocked shot.  Memphis (10-19) plays again on Saturday when they travel to Texas to face the San Antonio Spurs while Indiana (10-19), losers of 3 of their past 4 games, will return home to host the New Orleans Hornets on Sunday.


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