Desmond Bane has 30 points, Grizzlies rout Pacers for playoff spot

Desmond Bane scored 30 factors, hitting 12 of 15 pictures, and the Memphis Grizzlies constructed a giant lead early earlier than coasting to a 133-103 victory over the Indiana Pacers on Thursday evening to clinch a spot within the playoffs.

Jaren Jackson Jr. completed with 20 factors, going 7 of 13 from the sector, because the Grizzlies shot 54%. De’Anthony Melton added 19 and John Konchar matched his profession excessive with 18. Bane was 5 of seven from exterior the arc as Memphis made a season-high 21 3-pointers.

“It simply sort of goes,” Bane stated of his capturing. “I made my first couple after which discovered a few openings for straightforward pictures, and simply saved hooping.”

Earlier than the sport, Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins introduced that main scorer Ja Morant would miss the following two weeks with proper knee soreness. Morant sat out the earlier two video games after tweaking the knee in Memphis’ loss to Atlanta final Friday.

Jenkins famous that what was just lately a decent rotation has expanded to incorporate different gamers.

“Sadly, with a few guys nicked up, it creates a few of these alternatives,” the Memphis coach stated. “However guys have stayed the course and stayed prepared.”

The Grizzlies had been sharp once more with out their All-Star, simply as they had been in a 132-120 victory over the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday, and have become the second workforce to lock up a spot within the postseason.

With Memphis main 107-71 coming into the fourth, the Grizzlies reserves completed up the sport.

Lance Stephenson led the Pacers with 25 factors, together with making all 5 of his 3-pointers, whereas Terry Taylor had 17. Goga Bitadze completed with 14.

Apart from Morant, the Grizzles had been additionally with out Dillon Brooks, who rested his left ankle, and Brandon Clarke (left hip soreness.)

Indiana additionally was enjoying the second consecutive evening after a last-second loss to Sacramento. Like Memphis, the Pacers had a number of gamers out. Moreover, Pacers coach Rick Carlisle missed the sport for private causes.

“We’re short-handed. We’re asking guys to perform a little bit extra, … and needing them to perform a little bit extra,” stated performing coach Lloyd Pierce. “It places you in a state of affairs the place you want the whole lot to go proper. Clearly, tonight, it didn’t go nicely for us.”

As they did towards Brooklyn, the Grizzlies surpassed 70 factors within the first half, taking a 74-48 lead into the locker room. Bane had 23 factors, lacking solely certainly one of his pictures within the half, going 5 of 6 from exterior the arc.

The Grizzlies opened the second half on a 10-0 run and Memphis had its seventh win within the final eight.

“I’m glad I don’t should go towards us,” Bane stated, noting the Grizzlies handed out 34 assists, together with 4 gamers with a minimum of 5. “We’ve acquired a number of guys that may deal with. A number of guys that may shoot, cross. It makes us that a lot more durable to protect.

“It’s undoubtedly exhausting to go towards, and it’s enjoyable when you find yourself on the opposite facet.”

PLAYOFF ACCOMPLISHED

Regardless of clinching the playoff spot, Memphis gamers weren’t celebrating the accomplishment. There are nonetheless different targets. “It’s cool, I suppose,” Jackson stated. “However we’ve acquired to maneuver on. The playoffs are going to come back quickly. Earlier than we all know it, we’re going to be in it. The purpose will change. We need to win a sequence, after which the following one. One sport at a time. However the purpose is to win a championship.”

TIP-INS

Pacers: G Malcolm Brogdon missed his third sport with relaxation. … Bitadze has reached double figures in seven straight. … Duane Washington Jr., who turned 22 on Thursday, completed with 4 factors. … Indiana is 9-28 on the street.

Grizzlies: Memphis outscored the Pacers 44-23 within the first quarter, matching its most factors in 1 / 4 this season. … The ten 3-pointers within the first quarter had been a franchise file. … Memphis is 7-1 towards the Central Division. Its solely loss was to the Milwaukee Bucks, whom Memphis performs Saturday evening. … C Steven Adams had 17 rebounds, 9 of them off the offensive glass. … With Morant out, the Grizzlies didn’t win the factors within the paint for the second straight evening. Memphis and Indiana each had 54 paint factors.

UP NEXT

Pacers: Journey to Toronto to face the Raptors on Saturday.

Grizzlies: Proceed a four-game homestand Saturday towards Milwaukee.