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Game Rewind: Pacers 102, Grizzlies 92

Game Recap

The All-Star break was apparently kind to the Pacers. Indiana (30-28) snapped a season-long six-game losing streak in convincing fashion on Friday night, rolling to a 102-92 win over the Memphis Grizzlies (34-25) at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.

The visitors jumped in front early, riding a hot start from defensive whiz Tony Allen, who scored nine quick points on 4-of-5 shooting. Memphis led 25-18 nine minutes into the contest.

But the Pacers got a big boost from their second unit, including the most unexpected of contributors. With veteran backup center Al Jefferson sidelined due to dental pain, seldom-used second-year forward Rakeem Christmas checked in with 2:21 left in the first quarter.

Christmas and the reserves wound up holding the Grizzlies to just one field goal over the next 6:55. On the other end, Christmas got a dunk and a layup on back-to-back possessions as Indiana started the second quarter on a 13-3 run.

"Coach just told me to come in the game and do what I do, try to rebound, be physical, and set screens," Christmas said. "That's what I did and that boosted everyone's confidence."

While Christmas provided a more surprising boost, sixth man Monta Ellis was the biggest spark off the bench. Ellis was sensational in the first half, scoring 14 points in 13 minutes, going 6-for-7 from the field and 2-for-2 from 3-point range.

Indiana took a 61-49 lead into halftime, then really opened the game up at the start of the third quarter. All five starters scored in the opening minutes as the Blue & Gold started the frame with a 15-4 run, extending their lead to 23 points with 7:41 left in the period.

The Pacers stretched their lead to as many as 27 points a few minutes later. Memphis managed to get the deficit back down to 14 midway through the fourth quarter, but never seriously threatened down the stretch.

C.J. Miles led all scorers with 17 points, going 5-for-9 from 3-point range, as six different Pacers players scored in double figures in the victory. Ellis added 16 points on 7-of-10 shooting. Myles Turner added 12 points on 6-of-7 shooting, six rebounds, and three blocks.

Jeff Teague (10 points and 10 assists) recorded his 14th double-double of the season, while Lavoy Allen (10 points and 10 rebounds) had his second.

Thaddeus Young, back in the lineup after missing the last eight contests with a sprained left wrist, had 10 points on 5-of-7 shooting and five rebounds in 25 minutes.

"Thad being back in the lineup gave us a whole boost of energy," Teague said. "He played so hard. And then Rak (Christmas), having an opportunity to get on the floor and playing as well as he did, I think it really boosted our team."

Troy Daniels led Memphis with 13 points and All-Star center Marc Gasol added 12. Allen added 11 points and seven rebounds, Zach Randolph had 11 points and eight boards, and Mike Conley finished with 10 points and seven assists.

The Pacers will now embark on a difficult five-game road trip, which begins on Saturday night in Miami.

Inside the Numbers

Indiana shot 51.3 percent from the field in the win and was 11-for-26 (42.3 percent) from 3-point range. The Pacers are now 14-3 on the season when shooting 50 percent or better.

Playing in his 10th career game, Christmas set career highs for minutes (13) and rebounds (5). He matched his career best with two field goals made on three attempts and one block.

Not among the six Pacers players in double figures was All-Star forward Paul George, who had nine points on 3-of-12 shooting. It was just the second time in 51 games this season that George failed to score 10 or more points.

Indiana outrebounded the Grizzlies 50-39 overall, though Memphis had a 12-8 edge on the offensive glass.

The difference in the final margin could be found at the free throw line. The Grizzlies missed 10 foul shots, going 13-for-23 from the charity stripe. Indiana made all 11 of its free throw attempts.

The Pacers won despite committing 17 turnovers, which the Grizzlies turned into 29 points on the other end.

You Can Quote Me On That

"We just felt like we were whole with Thad out there with that first group. He's been the glue for us, being in the right place offensively and getting stops defensively. I thought it was really important for us to find a way to win tonight." -Pacers head coach Nate McMillan

"The second unit played really well. They know how to feed off each other's energy. They know how to get into guys. Actually the second unit is what got us the lead. They got the lead up to about 10 for us and the first unit came back in and built it from there." -Young

"We did a really good job of raising our pressure, raising our intensity. The bigs did a great job getting up early and being up high, allowing our weak side to be a little stronger." -George on defensive adjustments the Pacers made over the break

"They told me all season my time would come. I just wanted to come out and play my game." -Christmas

"It started with our transition defense. We gave up way too many easy looks, too many straight line drives which put pressure on our weak side defense which then opened up the 3-point line. Too many easy baskets and too high of a field goal percentage." -Gasol

"It's very disappointing, more so about our effort than anything else. They killed us tonight in transition. They got all the loose balls, and we didn't give ourselves a chance to win. We didn't do the little things necessary." -Conley

Stat of the Night

With Friday's win, the Pacers have now guaranteed a winning record at home for the 28th consecutive season, the longest active streak in the NBA and the fourth-longest all time.

Noteworthy

  • A trainer tended to George in the final minutes, but he said after the win that he was merely experiencing cramps in his thigh and should be good to go on Saturday in Miami.
  • Friday was the fourth Hickory game of the season and the 1985-87 Marion Giants, the last boys basketball team to win three straight state titles in single-class basketball, were honored at halftime.
  • The Pacers snapped a five-game losing streak against the Grizzlies on Friday, their longest active losing streak against any opponent. Indiana's last victory over Memphis prior to Friday came on Nov. 11, 2013.

Up Next

The Pacers will travel to Miami to take on the surging Heat on Saturday, Feb. 25 at 8:00 PM ET.

Tickets

After a five-game road trip, the Pacers will return to Bankers Life Fieldhouse on Wednesday, March 8 to host the Detroit Pistons at 8:00 PM ET. Find Tickets »