Game Preview: Pacers at Grizzlies – NBA.com

Thursday, Dec. 21 at 8:00 PM ET at FedExForum
The Pacers got back on track on Wednesday night, snapping a four-game skid with a comfortable win over Charlotte at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Now, Indiana (14-12) hits the road for one of its more anticipated road games of the season.
The Blue & Gold will be in Memphis on Thursday night to face the Grizzlies (7-19) on the second night of a back-to-back. Because of where this particular matchup falls on the calendar, the Pacers will be the visiting team for All-Star guard Ja Morant’s first home game since returning from a 25-game suspension to start the season.
The 24-year-old guard had emerged as one of the league’s biggest young stars in recent seasons. The second overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft out of Murray State, Morant won the NBA’s Most Improved Player award in 2022, when he was a first-time All-Star and a second-team All-NBA selection. He was an All-Star again last season, but earned discipline from the league after making repeated poor decisions off the court.
After missing the first two months of the season, Morant made his season debut on Tuesday and it couldn’t have gone any better for Grizzlies fans in their wildest dreams. He scored 34 points, dished out eight assists, and led a Grizzlies comeback from a 24-point first half deficit, ultimately hitting a buzzer-beating runner to lift Memphis to a 114-112 victory.
Morant will no doubt be amped up for his first game back in Memphis on Thursday. The Pacers have had issues protecting the paint this season and there are few players in the league better at getting to the rim than Morant. The Blue & Gold will certainly have their hands full.
But Indiana enters Thursday’s matchup with some momentum after a 144-113 drubbing of Charlotte on Wednesday night. Seven players scored in double figures in the victory as Indiana shot a blistering 61.3 percent from the field and 18-for-39 (46.2 percent) from 3-point range.
Several players had been in a bit of a funk offensively during the Pacers’ four-game skid, but there were promising signs from all of Indiana’s biggest offensive threats against the Hornets. All-Star point guard Tyrese Haliburton had the offense flowing, tallying 19 points and 13 assists. Sharpshooter Buddy Hield scored 19 of his team-high 25 points in the third quarter and hit four 3-pointers. And center Myles Turner did the heavy lifting early, scoring all 18 of his points in the first half.
On the other side, the Grizzlies have struggled mightily to start the season without Morant. Memphis won 51 games and was the second seed in the West last season, but the Grizzlies went just 6-19 during Morant’s suspension. Injuries played a key part in that, as big men Steven Adams and Brandon Clarke have missed the entire season (Adams is out for the year, while Clarke won’t return until near the All-Star break), sharpshooter Luke Kennard has only played in eight games, and former Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Smart has missed 15 contests.
But with Morant back, the Grizzlies have the talent to string together some wins as they try to climb back up the standings. Fourth-year guard Desmond Bane (24.4 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 5.1 assists per game), and reigning Defensive Player of the Year Jaren Jackson Jr. (21.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks) are two All-Star caliber players. With Morant back to help carry the load offensively, the Grizzlies figure to be a dangerous team for the remainder of the season as long as that trio stays healthy.
Pacers: G – Tyrese Haliburton, G – Buddy Hield, F – Bruce Brown, F – Obi Toppin, C – Isaiah Jackson
Grizzlies: G – Ja Morant, G – Desmond Bane, F – Vince Williams Jr., F – Jaren Jackson Jr., C – Bismack Biyombo
Pacers: Andrew Nembhard – out (right knee bone bruise), Ben Sheppard – out (G League assignment), Jarace Walker – out (G League assignment)
Grizzlies: Marcus Smart – doubtful (left foot sprain), Steven Adams – out (right knee PCL surgery), Brandon Clarke – out (left Achilles tendon repair), Luke Kennard – out (left knee bone bruise), Jake LaRavia – out (G League assignment), Derrick Rose – out (left hamstring strain)
Jan. 29, 2023: The Pacers led by 12 at halftime in Memphis, but the Grizzlies dominated the final two quarters, outscoring Indiana 62-38 en route to a 112-100 victory.
Bennedict Mathurin led Indiana with 27 points and eight rebounds off the bench in the loss. Aaron Nesmith added 16 points and Myles Turner tallied 15 for the Blue & Gold.
Jaren Jackson Jr. led all scorers with 28 points to go along with eight rebounds and five blocks in the victory. Ja Morant added 27 points and 15 assists for the Grizzlies.
TV: Bally Sports Indiana – Chris Denari (play-by-play), Quinn Buckner (analyst), Jeremiah Johnson (sideline reporter/host)
Radio: 93.5/107.5 The Fan – Mark Boyle (play-by-play), Eddie Gill (analyst), Pat Boylan (studio/host)
The Pacers return to Gainbridge Fieldhouse to host Paolo Banchero and the Orlando Magic on Saturday, Dec. 23 at 7:00 PM ET. Find Tickets >>
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