MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Rookie Cedric Coward scored 22 of his 27 points in the second half as the Memphis Grizzlies pulled away for a commanding 128-103 victory over the Indiana Pacers on Saturday night.
Ja Morant contributed 19 points, while Jaren Jackson Jr. added 17 for Memphis. Coward, the No. 11 pick in the draft out of Washington State, was perfect from beyond the arc, making all six of his 3-point attempts and finishing 9 for 13 overall. He has now reached double figures in all three games of his rookie season.
For Indiana, Bennedict Mathurin led the way with 26 points, shooting 8 for 12 from the field and knocking down two 3-pointers. Aaron Nesmith added 15 points, and both Obi Toppin and Pascal Siakam scored 13 apiece. The Pacers dropped to 0-2 on the season.
The Grizzlies were coming off an embarrassing 146-114 loss to the Miami Heat on Friday, a game in which they trailed by as many as 45 points. Indiana, meanwhile, had lost a double-overtime opener to Oklahoma City in a clash of last season’s NBA Finals teams.
Memphis took control after a 17-2 run in the second quarter, leading 60-52 at halftime. Both teams struggled offensively in the first half, shooting under 45% from the field. Mathurin opened the third quarter with 10 consecutive points to bring Indiana back into the contest, but Coward then got untracked, scoring 15 points in the period as Memphis extended its lead to 103-84 heading into the fourth.
**Up next:**
– *Pacers:* Continue a three-game road trip at Minnesota on Sunday.
– *Grizzlies:* Travel to Golden State to face the Warriors on Monday.