Aaron Nesmith hit the go-ahead 3-pointer in the closing seconds as the Indiana Pacers beat the Memphis Grizzlies 107-103 on Wednesday, Nov. 4, at FedExForum, snapping a five-game losing streak.
Andrew Nembhard led Indiana with 22 points, while Pascal Siakam added 20 and Nesmith finished with 16. Quenton Jackson contributed 13 points off the bench as the Pacers improved to 3-6.
Memphis had cut the deficit to 104-103 on Ty Jerome’s floater with 28.2 seconds remaining. Nesmith answered with a 3-pointer from the right corner to give Indiana a four-point cushion and secure the win.
The Pacers trailed 91-86 with 6:19 left before scoring eight consecutive points. Obi Toppin capped the run with a pair of breakaway dunks, helping Indiana regain control in a game in which neither team led by double digits.
Jerome and Cedric Coward scored 23 points apiece for Memphis. Zach Edey recorded 11 points and 13 rebounds, while Jerome also handed out three assists.
Indiana carried a 54-52 halftime lead after forcing 12 Memphis turnovers in the first half. The Pacers converted those mistakes into 16 points, with their defense recording eight steals overall.
The Grizzlies entered the game with a 6-1 record after winning their first six contests. Monday’s 135-134 overtime loss to New Orleans ended their run as the NBA’s last undefeated team, and Wednesday’s defeat marked their second straight.
Indiana had been dealing with multiple injuries, including one to star guard Tyrese Haliburton. Siakam, Nembhard and Nesmith returned to the starting lineup after missing time, following Monday’s 108-104 loss to Atlanta, when the Pacers used a six-player rotation.
The Pacers host the Denver Nuggets on Saturday, Nov. 7, while Memphis welcomes the Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday, Nov. 6.
