INDIANAPOLIS, Dec. 10 (Ticker) -- The Indiana Pacers didn't need Ron Artest to shut down the Memphis Grizzlies.

Jermaine O'Neal collected 20 points, 14 rebounds and five blocked shots as the Pacers again overcame the absence of Artest in an 80-66 victory over the cold-shooting Grizzlies.

NBA TV highlights from Grizzlies-Pacers: Play

The Grizzlies entered the game as the NBA's top defensive team, allowing just 85.1 points per game. They had given up more than 75 points just once in the last five games and twice had allowed less than 70 during that span.

However, with O'Neal making the paint his, the Grizzlies were the ones left frustrated Saturday. They never led and were ice cold from the outset, scoring just nine points on 4-of-21 shooting in the first quarter as they fell behind by double digits.

"Defense is always an emphasis for us," Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said. "But when you have a disappointing loss (vs. Dallas on Tuesday), it hits everybody where it hurts in terms of pride. The key tonight was that we got off to a good start."

O'Neal scored 14 points in the first half, helping the Pacers stretch the lead to 43-27 at the break. He made 6-of-13 shots in the half, two fewer baskets than the Grizzlies, who shot just 25 percent (8-of-32) before intermission and 34 percent (24-of-71) overall.

Memphis also struggled at the free-throw line by going just 11-of-20.

"My defensive effort is only as good as my team's defensive effort," O'Neal said. "We are a unit and when we play as one, then that lets guys take some chances. For the last eight quarters or so, we've really went out and played together. Tonight I was able to roam around and block some shots, and when I did over play a little, my teammates were there to cover my back."

The Pacers' effort came without Artest - the 2004 Defensive Player of the Year - who missed his second straight game with a right wrist contusion. Artest also was sidelined for Thursday's 111-87 rout of Washington.

Stephen Jackson scored 14 of his 16 points in the second half for the Pacers, who improved to 10-0 all-time at home against the Grizzlies.

"We got off to a quick start tonight," Jackson said. "We need to get into a habit of doing that. Our defense started well, making them take tough shots from the beginning."

Jeff Foster also added energy off the Indiana bench, collecting nine points and 10 rebounds in 20 minutes.

Shane Battier scored 13 points to lead Memphis, which has lost consecutive games following a six-game winning streak.

O'Neal had a hand in shutting down Grizzlies leading scorer Pau Gasol, who managed just 11 points on 2-of-12 shooting.

"Jeff (Foster) and J.O. (O'Neal) did a great job on Gasol and kept him from getting anything going," Jackson said.

"We didn't do what we were supposed to do," Gasol said. "Our game plan was to start off the game with a lot of energy, which is what you want to do on the second game of a back-to-back."

A jumper by Mike Miller pulled the Grizzlies within 28-20 with 6:08 remaining in the first half. But they managed just seven free throws the rest of the half.

O'Neal made two free throws and a jumper in the lane as the Pacers used an 11-2 surge to rebuilt the lead to 39-22 with 2:07 left in the half.

The Pacers led by at least nine points the entire second half.