Grizzlies vs. Pacers NBA expert prediction and odds for Sunday, Jan. 28 (Grizz can cover)
Betting odds, pick and prediction for the Memphis Grizzlies' matchup as underdogs against the Indiana Pacers.
By Peter Dewey
The Memphis Grizzlies, despite being short-handed, have won three straight games to move to 18-27 on the season, just two games back of the Golden State Warriors for the No. 12 seed in the Western Conference.
They’ll take on the Indiana Pacers on Sunday, but Indiana doesn’t have star guard Tyrese Haliburton (hamstring) in this matchup.
The Pacers pulled off a major upset on Friday night, coming back from a double-digit deficit to beat the Phoenix Suns. Pascal Siakam has been on fire in his last two games, and that could be a reason why the Pacers are heavily favored tonight.
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Let’s break down the latest odds and my best bet for this contest:
Grizzlies vs. Pacers odds, spread and total
Grizzlies vs. Pacers how to watch
- Date: Sunday, Jan. 28
- Time: 3:30 p.m. EST
- Venue: Gainbridge Fieldhouse
- How to watch (TV): Bally Sports Indiana, Bally Sports Southeast
- Grizzlies record: 18-27
- Pacers record: 26-20
Grizzlies vs. Pacers injury reports
Grizzlies injury report
- Steven Adams – out
- Brandon Clarke – out
- Desmond Bane – out
- Ja Morant – out
- Marcus Smart – out
- Derrick Rose – out
- Luke Kennard – out
- Jak LaRavia – out
Pacers injury report
- Kendall Brown – questionable
- Tyrese Haliburton – out
- Jalen Smith – questionable
- Oscar Tshiebwe – questionable
- Isaiah Wong – questionable
Grizzlies vs. Pacers key players to watch
Memphis Grizzlies
Jaren Jackson Jr.: With Morant, Smart, and Bane out, it’s been all on JJJ to carry this Memphis team. He’s done a great job as of late, averaging 26.8 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game over his last five matchups. Memphis is 3-2 over that stretch.
Indiana Pacers
Pascal Siakam: The last two times out, Siakam showed why the Pacers traded for him this season. Not only did he put up a triple-double in a win over the Philadelphia 76ers, but Siakam had 31 points in a win over Phoenix on Friday night. He’s averaging 21.8 points per game and shooting 45.5 percent from 3 as a Pacer.
Grizzlies vs. Pacers prediction and pick
The Grizzlies come into this game with an 11-10 record against the spread as a road underdog, but the Pacers have not been dominant as home favorites, going 7-6-1 ATS in those games.
Memphis has covered in three straight, and I think the team could make some noise in this matchup since the Pacers have struggled to defend all season.
Indiana ranks just 26th in the league in defensive rating, and that should give Jaren Jackson Jr. and company a chance to at least keep this matchup close.
The Pacers do play with a lot of pace, but the Grizzlies have beaten some formidable teams as of late, knocking off Orlando and Miami in their last two games.
While the Grizz have been blown out by teams like Minnesota and Chicago, the team also has covered the spread in seven of its last 11 games (all as an underdog).
Jaren Jackson Jr. is going to need to play well, but the Pacers are susceptible to close games – especially without Haliburton – because of how little they defend.
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.
Find Peter Dewey's NBA betting record here (futures included). You can also follow my daily plays on BetStamp here.