Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol (left) shoots over Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner during the first half of their NBA game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana, on Thursday. (USA TODAY Sports)

 

DPA/Los Angeles


The Memphis Grizzlies got their roar back, just 24 hours after being pushed around like teddy bears.
Spaniard Marc Gasol scored 20 points, Jeff Green added 10 of his 12 in the fourth quarter Thursday, rallying the visiting Grizzlies to a 112-103 victory over the Indiana Pacers for their first win of the season.  
The Cleveland Cavaliers knocked the stuffing out of the Grizzlies, 106-76 Wednesday night but that was quickly forgotten following the solid road victory.  
“That’s in the past,” Green said of the thumping. “We came out lackadaisical but were a little more focused tonight. We played our defence and grinded it out.”
With two uneven efforts, the Grizzlies have already learned a valuable early-season lesson.
“We know in order for us to compete in the Western Conference we can’t come out like we did last night,” Green explained. “Tonight was a prime example of what we have to do.”
Mike Conley added 13 points and 10 assists for Memphis, which outscored its hosts 39-28 in the decisive final frame, including an 18-7 closing run to move to 1-1 on the young season.
“We had a tough, tough night last night,” Grizzlies coach Dave Joerger said. “Some guys really had bounce-back performances. Jeff Green was huge for us, especially in the second half.”
Memphis let an early 15-point slip away and trailed 75-66 late in the third frame before rallying to retake the lead.
“They had the momentum going in the third quarter,” Joerger said. “We had a chance to lay down or maybe let go of the rope but we kept coming.”
Indiana took its last lead, 96-94 on two Paul George free throws with 4:03 left, but Gasol’s 10-foot runner knotted the game and ignited the decisive run.
Green drilled two 3-pointers around another basket by Gasol and the Grizzlies pulled away.
“The last five minutes we played pretty well. Defensively we were a lot more aggressive,” said Gasol, who added eight rebounds. “When our defence is clicking, offensively, things get much better.”
George Hill had 20 points while George and CJ Miles added 18 apiece for the Pacers, who started the season 0-2 for the first time since 2009.

Elsewhere
Atlanta Hawks 112, New York Knicks 101: Jeff Teague scored 23 points, Al Horford added 21 to pace a balanced scoring attack, as the visiting Hawks bounced the Knicks for their first victory of the season.
Two days after being surprised 106-94 by Detroit in their season opener, the Hawks looked more like the club that won 60 games last season and finished with the best record in the Eastern Conference.
“We just wanted to come and have a better showing than last night,” said Teague, who dished out eight assists.
Kyle Korver had 15 points, Germany’s Dennis Shroeder added 13 off the bench, while Paul Millsap contributed 11 with as many rebounds for Atlanta, which shot 51 per cent from the floor.
Carmelo Anthony scored a game-high 25 points on 10-of-27 shooting, and Robin Lopez finished with 18 for New York (1-1), coming off Wednesday’s impressive 122-97 season opening road win over the Milwaukee Bucks.

LA Clippers 104, Dallas Mavericks 88: High-flying Blake Griffin erupted for 13 of his 26 points in the third quarter and grabbed 10 rebounds, as the Clippers cruised past the Mavericks in their home opener. Reserves Jamal Crawford tossed in 15 points, Austin Rivers added 14, while DeAndre Jordan grabbed 15 rebounds for the Clippers (2-0), who used a game-breaking 18-3 run to bridge the third and fourth period en route to the easy win.
John Jenkins scored 17 points and German star Dirk Nowitzki added 16 for the Mavericks (1-1), who without injured starting guards Deron Williams (left knee) and rested Wesley Matthews, shot a frosty 36 per cent from the field in the beat-down.