Nesmith's corner 3 lifts Pacers past Memphis, snapping 5-game losing streak
Aaron Nesmith hit a corner three with seconds left to break a tie, snapping Indiana's losing streak while Memphis fell to the Thunder next.
By David Marshall ·
The Indiana Pacers escaped a tight finish in Memphis on Wednesday night, using a late three-pointer to halt a five-game losing streak. Aaron Nesmith stood in the right corner with 28.2 seconds remaining and released a long-range jumper that swished through the net. The shot gave Indiana a 107-103 victory over the Grizzlies, ending a run that had seen the Pacers fall in five straight contests.
Memphis had pulled within one point just before the final shot. Ty Jerome sank a floater to make the score 104-103, forcing a tense end to the game. Nesmith's jumper sealed the result, capping a night where the Pacers relied on depth to overcome a second-quarter lead by the home team. Andrew Nembhard led all scorers with 22 points, while Nesmith finished with 16. Pascal Siakam added 20 points, and Quenton Jackson contributed 13.
The Grizzlies, who began the season with six wins, dropped their second straight game. They had been the league's last undefeated team before a Monday overtime loss to New Orleans. Ty Jerome and Cedric Coward each scored 23 points for Memphis. Zach Edey recorded a double-double with 11 points and 13 rebounds. The Grizzlies led 91-86 with 6:19 left in the fourth quarter, but Indiana answered with eight consecutive points, including breakaway dunks by Obi Toppin.
Indiana's defense played a key role in the first half. The Pacers' pressure forced eight Memphis turnovers in the opening quarter and 12 total by halftime. Those mistakes resulted in 16 points for Indiana, which carried a 54-52 lead into the break. The teams traded the lead through the middle of the fourth quarter before the Pacers pulled away. Neither team established a lead of more than nine points at any time.
The Pacers have managed injuries to key players, including star guard Tyrese Haliburton, over the past 10 days. In Monday's 108-104 loss to Atlanta, Indiana used a six-man rotation where every player scored in double figures. Against Memphis, starters Siakam, Nembhard, and Nesmith returned to the lineup. The Grizzlies benefited from an early schedule against lower-ranked teams before their recent skid began.
The Grizzlies host the Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday night. The Pacers return home to host the Denver Nuggets on Saturday.
