The Memphis Grizzlies are embracing the benefits of sharing the ball this season.
When Memphis hosts the Indiana Pacers on Sunday, the Grizzlies will be aiming for their sixth consecutive win and their 10th in their past 13 games. Their success in November has stemmed from an unselfish, team-oriented approach, leading the NBA with 30.4 assists per game.
In Friday’s 120-109 home victory over New Orleans, Memphis dished out 36 assists on 47 made baskets.
Ja Morant, who missed Wednesday’s win against Detroit due to a bruised knee, led the Grizzlies with seven assists against New Orleans, while Marcus Smart added six off the bench. Despite being limited to 10 games this season, Morant leads the team with 9.1 assists per game, followed by Scotty Pippen Jr. (5.7) and Smart (4.1).
Friday’s win marked Memphis’ first NBA Cup victory in the second year of the event. The Grizzlies had previously lost their first seven games of NBA Cup group play.
On the other hand, the Indiana Pacers were eliminated from NBA Cup knockout round contention with their 130-106 home loss to Detroit on Friday, leaving them 0-3 in Cup play.
The Pacers had won three straight games—all at home—before being overpowered by the Pistons. Pascal Siakam and Tyrese Haliburton led Indiana with 21 and 19 points, respectively.
Despite their struggles in the first two months of the season, Indiana coach Rick Carlisle noted that several younger players have shown significant promise, including second-year forward Jarace Walker.
Walker, 21, finished with 10 points and recorded five of the team’s nine steals off the bench on Friday.
Additionally, third-year guard Bennedict Mathurin, 22, has thrived in a starting role, averaging 17.7 points per game, while Quenton Jackson, 26, has averaged 10.3 points in his past three games.
Mathurin is second on the team in scoring behind Siakam (19.9 points per game), with Haliburton’s 16.6-point average ranking third.
Sunday’s game marks the first of two regular-season meetings between the teams. Indiana and Memphis split last season’s two meetings, with each team winning at home.
