Memphis Grizzlies Vs. Indiana Pacers: Predictions, Starting Lineups (1/28/24)
To everyone’s surprise, the Memphis Grizzlies are winners of three consecutive games, two of which have come on the road. Can the Grizzlies make it four-in-a-row against the new-look Pacers? See our Memphis Grizzlies vs. Indiana Pacers prediction, expert betting picks, and in-depth analysis below!
Memphis Grizzlies Vs. Indiana Pacers Prediction
The Grizzlies might have won three consecutive games, but they just took another huge hit for this one: Luke Kennard has been listed as out due to a minor left knee injury. Kennard’s absence again leaves Memphis extremely shorthanded, as Luke joins Marcus Smart, Ja Morant, Steven Adams, Brandon Clarke, Desmond Bane, Derrick Rose, and Jake LaRavia on the sideline.
Memphis now has to start John Konchar at point guard, which is not ideal considering he primarily plays as a two-guard (or small forward in small-ball lineups due to his fantastic positional rebounding.) The backup point guards for the Grizzlies are Jacob Gilyard and Scotty Pippen Jr., two players who have spent most of their young professional careers in the G-League.
While the Grizzlies have won three consecutive games, take a look at who their opponents have been: Toronto, Miami, and Orlando. The latter two will likely be playoff teams, but they have had a rough month offensively. As a matter of fact, Orlando ranks 25th in offensive rating, and Miami ranks 28th in offensive rating since the beginning of January. On the season, the Raptors are 25th in 3P% and Memphis caught them fresh off of two huge trades (O.G. Anunoby and Pascal Siakam.)
Meanwhile, even though the Pacers are without Tyrese Haliburton, they have looked terrific in their past five home games. They boast a 4-1 record with wins over Phoenix, Boston, Philadelphia, and Washington; their only loss was against the defending champion Denver Nuggets by five points in a barnburner.
Haliburton only played in the first quarter of the Boston game but has not been available for the other four at all. In that stretch, Indiana has an offensive rating of 121.3 and a team shooting split of 52/37/81. Memphis has absolutely no chance of keeping up with a team with a high-powered offense. At least, not when the Grizzlies are missing eight key rotation players.
Back the ‘Cers in a “sell high” spot for the Grizzlies, even without Tyrese Haliburton on the floor.
Memphis Grizzlies Vs. Indiana Pacers Prediction: Pacers -9 (-110)
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Memphis Grizzlies Vs. Indiana Pacers Best Odds
The Memphis Grizzlies are nine-point road dogs against the fast-paced Indiana Pacers on Sunday afternoon. Memphis has Moneyline odds of +320 to win its fourth consecutive game, despite being without more than a handful of key players, while the Pacers are -410 to keep the positive momentum rolling. The Over/Under line hangs at 235 points for this game, with -110 odds on either side.
Memphis Grizzlies Starting Lineup
PG: John Konchar
SG: Vince Williams Jr.
SF: David Roddy
PF: Jaren Jackson Jr
C: Xavier Tillman Sr
Indiana Pacers Starting Lineup
PG: Andrew Nembhard
SG: Buddy Hield
SF: Aaron Nesmith
PF: Pascal Siakam
C: Myles Turner
Memphis Grizzlies Vs. Indiana Pacers Injuries
The most injury-riddled team in the NBA this season will not get any unexpected backup for this non-conference road game. Memphis will continue to miss Derrick Rose (hamstring), Jake LaRavia (ankle), Marcus Smart (finger), Ja Morant (shoulder), Desmond Bane (ankle), Steven Adams (knee), Luke Kennard (knee), and Brandon Clarke (Achilles.)
On the other hand, the Indiana Pacers are not expected to bring back Tyrese Haliburton from his lingering hamstring injury on Sunday. However, as of Saturday night, no other Pacers players are listed on the injury report, giving them plenty of depth against a shorthanded Memphis Grizzlies team.
