Memphis Grizzlies lose a heartbreaker to Pacers
The Memphis Grizzlies returned home following a long road trip that left them sitting in seventh in the Western Conference and (7-6). Now, they drop to .500.
First Quarter:
The Memphis Grizzlies were off to a rough start, scoring six points in the first five minutes. With 3:07 remaining in the first quarter, they trailed by as much as 11. The defense seemed to be trying to wake up after a few days off, but the Pacers were shooting the lights out. When the first quarter was said and done, the Grizzlies trailed 34-25.
The Pacers lit up the Grizzlies for 34 points on 23 shots, shooting 56.5 percent from the field.
Second Quarter:
The second quarter felt a little bit better with the effort of Tyreke Evans and Chandler Parsons. Then, the Grizzlies started playing similar to their play in the first quarter.
The Grizzlies seemed to lack any kind of offensive rhythm, shooting 17 percent from 3-point land. Whereas, the Pacers shot 53 percent from three point land. The Grizzlies seem to be in search of a person to score on the offensive end consistently, and a unit that can mesh on the defensive end. At the end of the first half, the Grizzlies trailed the Pacers 67-53.
Third Quarter:
The third quarter began, and the Grizzlies scored 11 points in less than two minutes. A 11-6 Grizzlies run had them within seven.
The bad thing about being down early is that a run made usually gets extinguished by the team with the lead as they go on a run of their own. The Pacers made their run and built the lead back up to 15 points with 7:28 remaining in the third quarter. T
he third quarter ended with the Grizzlies making several small runs, only for the Pacers to answer each score. The third quarter ended with the Grizzlies trailing the Pacers, 97-84.
Fourth Quarter:
The Grizzlies started the fourth quarter with stagnant offense and soft defense. The Grizzlies always seemed a run away from catching the Pacers, but their defense never caught up.
Then, with seven minutes left in the fourth quarter, this Grizzlies’ team came to life. A crazy Evans layup, followed up by a few defensive stops had the Grizzlies down nine points with 6:52 left.
The Grizzlies cut it to seven points, but it seemed Memphis’ run fell two minutes short. They couldn’t tie the game at the buzzer, falling to the Pacers, 116-113.
Stat Lines:
Marc Gasol: 35 points, 13 rebounds, in 39 minutes.
Darren Collison: 30 points, and 8 assists in 41 minutes.
Victor Oladipo: 21 points, 6 rebounds in 33 minutes.
Next: What in the world is wrong with Mike Conley?
Marc Gasol talked about defensive communication that lacked throughout the game.
"“We all speak English, we all went to training camp together, communication is communication.”"
Grizzlies head coach David Fizdale said following the tough loss:
"Guys are not competing, and that is on me."
The Grizzlies dropped their third straight game in a row to the Pacers 116-113. The team was full of mistakes when the game was in their hands to win.
Up next, they’ll challenge the Rockets at home to conclude their four-game season series.