Aaron Nesmith sank a decisive three-pointer from the corner with 14.6 seconds remaining, lifting the Indiana Pacers to a 107-103 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies and handing the visiting team their second defeat.
The game-ending sequence unfolded after head coach Tuomas Iisalo called for a double-team on the perimeter with 28 seconds left and his squad trailing by a single point without any timeouts remaining. Indiana trapped in the middle of the floor managed to swing the ball to Nesmith, who released his shot immediately to seal the four-point win. The sequence capped a night where Memphis struggled to maintain its early-season momentum.
Memphis Suffers Twenty Turnovers Against Indiana
The primary hurdle for the Grizzlies centered on ball security and long-range accuracy. Under defensive pressure from the Pacers, Memphis committed 20 turnovers that Indiana converted into 24 points. Every starter recorded at least one turnover, while four players threw away multiple possessions during the contest.
Compounding the ball-handling miscues, the Grizzlies finished 12 of 44 from beyond the arc for a 27.3% success rate. Cam Boozer shot 4 of 14 from the field to finish with 10 points, and Jaylen Wells went scoreless across three attempts. Ty Jerome and Cedric Coward paced the offense with 23 points apiece, but the high-paced offensive system orchestrated by Iisalo occasionally morphed from speed into costly haste.
“Sometimes, we just play a little too rushed,” Cam Boozer acknowledged. “We need to slow down. We’re going to look at that, fix it, and get better.”
Olivier-Maxence Prosper echoed a resilient locker-room sentiment despite the consecutive setbacks following a six-game winning streak that matched the best start in franchise history. “I think we maintain a good mindset,” Prosper said. “We know how good of a team we are. Even though we just lost two games, these are things we can correct and control.”
Coach Iisalo Benches Jackson for Prosper
Looking to spark his roster at halftime, Iisalo altered his rotation by benching GG Jackson for the entire second half. Prosper, who spent the opening two quarters on the bench, inherited Jackson’s minutes and injected immediate energy.
“We never want to be dominated in our commitment,” the coach explained regarding the personnel switch. “Olivier represented perfectly that type of player, always ready to bring energy. He gave us a little spark.”
On the interior, center Zach Edey delivered his strongest statistical outing of the young season. In just over 24 minutes of action, Edey posted 11 points, 13 rebounds, and 2 blocks, recording a team-high +18 differential on the floor. The performance served as a direct response to his frustration following a difficult outing against the New Orleans Pelicans.
Consecutive Defeats Drop Grizzlies from Undefeated Tier
The consecutive defeats drop the Grizzlies down from their undefeated tier following an opening stretch featuring a favorable schedule. Having achieved their initial six victories with high-velocity play, the team must now refine its tempo to curb the turnovers and shooting woes that defined the loss in Indiana.
Memphis will look to iron out those offensive approximations as the regular-season schedule continues, aiming to preserve the defensive intensity and physical edge that established their early success.
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