Game recaps
Nesmith’s late three lifts Indiana past Memphis and ends losing streak
The Pacers won 107–103 at FedExForum to snap a five-game skid. Nembhard scored 22 points, and Nesmith pushed the lead to four with 14 seconds left.
Indiana was clinging to a one-point lead when Pascal Siakam found Aaron Nesmith for the shot that decided the game. His three-pointer with 14 seconds left made it 107–103, the final score as the Pacers beat Memphis on Wednesday, November 4, at FedExForum. The win ended a five-game losing streak and moved Indiana to 3–6.
Two days after having only six players available against Atlanta, Rick Carlisle got Andrew Nembhard, Nesmith and Siakam back. All three started, and Indiana found its rhythm early, hitting six first-quarter threes, two apiece from Nembhard, Siakam and Quenton Jackson, to take a 32–24 lead. Memphis erased that margin early in the second with a 13–5 run that included eight points from Ty Jerome. Indiana led 54–52 at halftime but trailed 82–80 entering the fourth.
The Pacers got contributions throughout the rotation down the stretch. Jarace Walker set up Obi Toppin for a dunk that made it 94–91. Later, with Memphis within two, Nembhard came up with a steal and found Larry Nance Jr. for a dunk that made it 99–95. Siakam stretched the lead to six with a three-point play just over a minute from the finish. The Grizzlies answered with a Cameron Boozer three and a Jerome floater, pulling within 104–103 with 28 seconds left. Nesmith hit his three on Indiana’s next possession.
Nembhard led Indiana with 22 points and five assists. Siakam scored 20 and Nesmith finished with 16. Jackson had 13 points and seven rebounds off the bench, and Toppin added 11 points. For Memphis, Jerome and Cedric Coward scored 23 points apiece. Coward added nine rebounds and four assists, while Zach Edey posted a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds.
Both teams made 12 three-pointers. One difference came at the line, where Indiana went 15-for-17 and Memphis went 9-for-15. The Pacers took the fourth quarter 27–21 and next face Denver on Saturday, November 7, in Mexico City.