Indiana Pacers Vs. Memphis Grizzlies: Predictions, Starting Lineups (12/21/23)

Tonight is Ja Morant’s first home game in the 2023-24 regular season after returning from a 25-game suspension. Take a look below at our Indiana Pacers vs. Memphis Grizzlies predictions, best bets, current odds, and in-depth analysis for this inevitably fast-paced shootout!

Indiana Pacers Vs. Memphis Grizzlies Prediction

It took no time at all for Ja Morant to return to All-NBA form, as he finished his first game with 34 points, eight assists, and six rebounds on 50% shooting from the field; Morant also hit a game-winning floater in the lane as time expired to knock off the fully healthy New Orleans Pelicans. Shockingly, the Grizzlies were down by as many as 24 points at one point in the game, and Morant helped carry them all the way back and to an eventual win.

Now, Morant and the Grizzlies return to FedExForum for his first home game of the season; they will face an Indiana Pacers team that has dropped five of their past seven games since making the In-Season Tournament Championship, where they eventually lost to the Lakers. In that stretch, Indiana has allowed opponents to shoot 54.2% from the field and 39.5% from behind the arc.

So can Indiana ruin the “parade in Ja’s city?” Or will the Grizzlies rally around Morant and ensure that they don’t lose in his first home game back?

It is a great matchup for the Grizzlies now that Morant is back on the floor. Morant can help push the pace in transition and generate great looks for not only himself but his teammates, too. The Pacers also give up the most field goal attempts to opponents in the paint and within eight feet of the basket this season, which is where Ja Morant thrives. The Grizzlies are huge beneficiaries of Morant’s rim pressure; they finished with 62 points in the paint against the Pelicans in their last game. The number of times that Morant will penetrate the lane and get fouled will also be substantial, especially since the Pacers rank 29th in fouls per game (22.7.)

Further, Morant is going to take this matchup personally. The media has been pushing a narrative that players like Tyrese Haliburton and Jalen Brunson have passed him up during his suspension; he will want to prove that is not true. Expect a huge performance from Morant and the rest of this Grizzlies squad, who must be amped about their two-point road win (via a Morant buzzer-beater) against New Orleans.

Indiana Pacers Vs. Memphis Grizzlies Prediction: Grizzlies -2.5 (-110)

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Indiana Pacers Vs. Memphis Grizzlies Best Odds

Memphis is a 2.5-point favorite at home against the Indiana Pacers for the homecoming of Ja Morant, who will be playing his first game at FedExForum this season. The Grizzlies have Moneyline odds of -148, while the Pacers have odds of +124 to ruin the parade on the road. The point total sits at a humongous 247 points, with the Over and Under each holding -110 odds.

Indiana Pacers Starting Lineup

PG: Tyrese Haliburton
SG: Bruce Brown
SF: Buddy Hield
PF: Obi Toppin
C: Myles Turner

Memphis Grizzlies Starting Lineup

PG: Ja Morant
SG: Desmond Bane
SF: Vince Williams Jr.
PF: Jaren Jackson Jr.
C: Bismack Biyombo

Indiana Pacers Vs Memphis Grizzlies Injuries

Despite Ja Morant returning to the Memphis Grizzlies’ starting lineup, the team’s injury report still reads like a laundry list. Memphis will be without Marcus Smart (ankle), Luke Kennard (knee), Steven Adams (knee), Brandon Clarke (Achilles), and Derrick Rose (knee) for this battle with the Indiana Pacers. On the other hand, Indiana has three players listed as questionable: Jalen Smith (heel), Andrew Nembhard (knee), and Myles Tuner (hamstring.)