The Memphis Grizzlies are a surprising 6-1 to start the year and host the injury-riddled Indiana Pacers on Wednesday night. Tyrese Haliburton is out with a hamstring strain, but that is just the start. Indiana only played six players in their last game because they were the only ones available.
Ty Jerome is having a breakout season as Memphis has been one of the most fun watches in the NBA to start the year. Cameron Boozer looks like a future superstar, and the team plays together. They have a shot to go to 7-1 and stay in the top two in the West with a win.
Fans won’t want to miss this one, so here is a look at everything they need to know heading into Wednesday’s game.
How to watch Memphis Grizzlies vs. Indiana Pacers
Start time: 8:00 p.m. ET
How to watch on TV, online: Local - DAZN (Memphis or Indiana), Out of Market: NBA League Pass
How to listen on Radio: SiriusXM
Local fans can watch 80 games on DAZN this season, including 15 free broadcasts.
Injury report
Memphis Grizzlies
OUT: Scotty Pippen Jr. (back)
Questionable: Quinten Post (ankle)
There are no new injuries to report. Pippen Jr. and Post each missed the last two games. The big man has a shot to return against the Pacers, but Memphis may decide to be cautious with Indy shorthanded.
Indiana Pacers
OUT: Tyrese Haliburton (hamstring)
OUT: T.J. McConnell (hamstring)
OUT: Ben Sheppard (knee surgery)
OUT: Johnny Furphy (ACL surgery)
Questionable: Ivica Zubac (ankle)
Questionable: Kelly Oubre Jr. (calf)
Questionable: Obi Toppin (back)
Questionable: Jalen Slawson (G League)
Questionable: Braden Smith (G League)
Questionable: Kobe Brown (G League)
Pascal Siakam, Andrew Nembhard, Aaron Nesmith, and Larry Nance Jr. are set to return against the Grizzlies. This gives the Pacers a fighting chance to snap their five-game losing streak on Wednesday night.
Projected starting lineups
Memphis Grizzlies
PG: Ty Jerome
SG: Jaylen Wells
SF: Cedric Coward
PF: Cameron Boozer
C: Zach Edey
The Grizzlies starting five is healthy and ready to make their fifth start of the season together. It is Memphis’ most-played lineup, and the group has an 8.7 net rating in 57 minutes of the floor so far.
Indiana Pacers
PG: Andrew Nembhard
SG: Aaron Nesmith
SF: Jarace Walker
PF: Pascal Siakam
C: Jay Huff
The Pacers' opening lineup is up in the air. With Haliburton out, Nembhard will slide down to the point guard spot. Ivica Zubac will start at center if he plays. Kelly Oubre Jr. will open the game at the three if he goes from questionable to available. Fans won’t know until they get clarity on the injuries.
Grizzlies vs. Pacers matchup history
The Grizzlies won both meetings between the two teams last season and have taken eight of the last ten.
The Pacers hold the all-time edge 34-26. These two teams only meet twice per year, and Memphis’ roster looks completely different with Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Desmond Bane gone. Don't put too much stock into any matchup history between these two.
What to watch for as Grizzlies take on the Pacers
Ty Jerome building his All-Star case
Jerome is averaging 28.2 points, 5.5 assists, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.2 steals to start this season. He is shooting 50.4 percent from the field, 42.1 percent on his threes, and 88.6 percent from the free-throw line. Anybody putting up 28 points on 50-40-90 is an All-Star. Jerome is so close, but must do it over a larger sample.
The Pacers' injuries present an opportunity to feast. Nesmith and Nembhard will make things tough on Jerome, but he has shredded better defenders.
Cameron Boozer vs. Pascal Siakam
The rookie gets a shot to go up against a perennial All-Star. Boozer is struggling with his efficiency, but is already putting up counting stats. He looks like a future star and already has a triple-double under his belt.
Can the teenager win his matchup against the four-time All-Star? Siakam is averaging over 20 points per game for the seventh straight year and has won a championship. This is a measure-stick type of game for Boozer against one of the best players at his position.
What does Rick Carlisle have up his sleeve?
Carlisle has been one of the best coaches in the NBA for years, and he always has a wrinkle to make his team better than the sum of their parts. The Pacers head coach will have his team ready and firing a bunch of threes to try to pull off the upset.
Don’t be surprised to see Indy try to take Ty Jerome out of the game. Carlisle is never afraid to run an exotic defense to try to disrupt the opponent. He will have something special for Memphis after their early-season success.
Grizzlies fans won’t want to miss this contest. They can go to 7-1 and make their playoff hopes look even more legitimate. The Pacers are shorthanded, so Memphis must capitalize. Do not miss it.
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