The Indiana Pacers travel to the FedExForum to do battle with the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday night. Here’s a Grizzlies vs Pacers Prediction. This article will include a Grizzlies vs Pacers Pick.
Indiana Pacers Betting Preview
The Indiana Pacers will be hoping to bounce back in this one after coming up painfully short to the Thunder in a heartbreaking 141-135 double overtime loss on Thursday. Bennedict Mathurin led the team in scoring with 36 points and 11 rebounds, Pascal Siakam added 32 points with 15 rebounds and four assists while Obi Toppin chipped in with 20 points, five rebounds and three assists off the bench.
As a team, the Pacers shot 43 percent from the field and 13 of 43 from the 3-point line as they battled hard with a defending champs in a game that remained within single digits the entire contest. They allowed the Thunder to go on a pivotal 11-2 run in the second overtime period. Andrew Nembhard finished with just four points on zero of five shooting but played just 17 minutes as he left the game in the second quarter with a shoulder injury. This really hurt the Pacers’ backcourt depth as they are already missing Tyrese Haliburton and TJ McConnell.
Memphis Grizzlies Betting Preview
Meanwhile, the Memphis Grizzlies have split their first two games of the season and they will be hoping to bounce back in this one after getting scorched by the Heat in a 146-114 home defeat last night. Jaren Jackson Jr led the team in scoring with 19 points on seven of 14 shooting, Cedric Coward added 16 points off the bench while Ja Morant chipped in with 12 points and six assists.
As a team, the Grizzlies shot 40 percent from the field and 13 of 45 from the 3-point line, but they were flat out terrible on the defensive end as they just never gave themselves a chance after allowing 86 points in the first half. The Grizzlies trailed in this one by as many as 45 points at one stage before the Heat rested, they emptied their bench in a second half that was entirely garbage time. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and GG Jackson scored just seven points each, while Jock Landale scored just four points on one of three shooting.
Why the Memphis Grizzlies will win
- The Grizzlies have won four of their last five games as home underdogs against Eastern Conference opponents following a loss.
- The Pacers have lost eight of their last 12 games as road favorites on the first leg of a back-to-back.
- The Pacers have failed to cover the spread in each of their last six games as road favorites on the first leg of a back-to-back.
- The Grizzlies have covered the spread in seven of their last eight games against the Pacers.
Why the Indiana Pacers will win
- The Grizzlies have lost each of their last nine games as underdogs when playing with a rest disadvantage.
- The Pacers have won each of their last six road games when playing with a rest advantage.
- The Grizzlies have failed to cover the spread in each of their last seven games as underdogs when playing with a rest disadvantage.
- The Pacers have covered the spread in eight of their last nine games following a loss.
Total Points Facts
- Seven of the Grizzlies’ last eight home games have gone OVER the total points line.
- Seven of the Pacers’ last eight road games on the first leg of a back-to-back have gone UNDER the total points line.
Indiana Pacers Player Facts
- Obi Toppin ranks T1st amongst qualified players for FT% (100.0%) this season.
- Pascal Siakam ranks 2nd amongst qualified players for rebounds per game (15.0) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Grizzlies rank 30th in the league for opponent offensive rebounds per game this season (17.0).
- The Grizzlies rank 30th in the league for opponent steals per game this season (12.5).
- The Pacers rank 30th in the league for opponent points per game this season (141.0).
- The Pacers rank 1st in the league for rebounds per game this season (55.0).
Grizzlies vs Pacers Prediction
The Pacers are still shorthanded with Tyrese Haliburton, TJ McConnell, Kam Jones, and Andrew Nembhard all out, while the Grizzlies have again ruled out Brandon Clarke, Zach Edey, Ty Jerome, and Scotty Pippen Jr.
The Pacers are coming into this one fresh off a double overtime loss to the defending champs in a game that could’ve easily gone either way. The Grizzlies really couldn’t have played much worse last night in their massive defeat to the Heat.
It’s no surprise to see the Grizzlies open as slight underdogs at home, especially given that they are just so banged up at the moment. So, I am leaning towards the Pacers to take advantage and come away with the narrow win and cover on the road.