Grizzlies roll without Morant, beat Pacers 135-102

Updated Mar. 15, 2022 9:52 p.m. ET

Associated Press

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Desmond Bane scored 21 points, Jaren Jackson Jr. had 19 and the Memphis Grizzlies rolled without All-Star Ja Morant, beating the Indiana Pacers 135-102 on Tuesday night.

De’Anthony Melton added 18 points while Morant sat out with back soreness. The Grizzlies made the decision to hold him out after he went through pregame warmups.

It was the fourth consecutive victory for the Grizzlies. The Pacers have lost two in a row and five of their last six games.

Steven Adams had 13 points and 13 rebounds for the Grizzlies.

Jalen Smith scored 15 points for Indiana. Buddy Hield and Terry Taylor each had 14.

Memphis shot 51% while holding Indiana to 42%. The Pacers were 6 of 30 from 3-point range while the Grizzlies were 15 of 40.

The Grizzlies dominated throughout, leading by as many as 37 in the third quarter before settling for a 104-70 lead after three quarters.

In the fourth quarter, the Pacers’ Isaiah Jackson fouled out when he was called for a flagrant foul on a moving screen. Jackson actually fell over Dillon Brooks.

Memphis shot 55.6% in the first half to take a 74-49 halftime lead. The Grizzlies led by as many as 27 in the opening half.

Memphis scored 24 fast-break points in the first half compared to zero for the Pacers.

TIP-INS

Grizzlies: Coach Taylor Jenkins said before the game he doesn’t see Morant’s back soreness as anything that will linger for multiple games. … Jackson played three seasons for Park Tudor School in Indianapolis before transferring to La Lumiere in LaPorte, Indiana.

Pacers: Malcolm Brogdon returned to action after missing the past two games with a concussion. He scored 12 points. … Goga Bitzadze was listed as active, but didn’t play. He had missed Sunday’s game at Atlanta with a lingering foot injury.

UP NEXT

Grizzlies: At Atlanta on Friday

Pacers: At Houston on Friday