The Indiana Pacers and the Memphis Grizzlies ramp up preparations for the 2024-25 NBA regular season when they face off in a pre-season encounter at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Tuesday.
This will be just the second meeting between the two franchises this year, with the Pacers securing a relatively comfortable 116-110 victory when they met in Indianapolis back in January.
Match preview
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The Indiana Pacers picked up their first triumph of the 2024-25 pre-season campaign on Friday as they defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 129-117 when the two sides faced off at the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.
Following a poor defensive showing in the first half, where Cleveland drained 70 points in the opening two quarters to take a one-point lead into half time, the Pacers upped the ante after the break, outscoring the Cavs by 14 points in the third quarter before ultimately securing a 12-point victory.
Four players finished with double-digit points for the Indiana Pacers, but the comeback was largely down to an inspired Bennedict Mathurin, who racked up 25 points from 8-12 shooting, including five of eight from beyond the arch.
This was a much-needed result for Rick Carlisle's side, who were left with a bitter taste of "what could have been" in their opening game of pre-season on Wednesday when they fell to a 131-130 defeat against the Atlanta Hawks at State Farm.
Despite holding a three-point lead in the final seven seconds of the contest, the Pacers failed to see out the result as the Hawks netted four points on their final possession, including a buzzer-beating 3-pointer from Seth Lundy, to snatch the win.
Carlisle has stressed the need for improvement at the backcourt, an issue once again highlighted on Friday, when they failed to contain a depleted Cavs side without four starters, including Darius Garland, Evan Mobley and 5× NBA All-Star Donovan Mitchell.
With their first win of pre-season on the board, Indiana will be aiming to keep the ball rolling as they return to home court for their final two exhibition games before kicking off the 2024-25 regular season with a road game against the Detroit Pistons on October 14.
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On the other hand, it was a frenetic end to the game between the Chicago Bulls and the Memphis Grizzlies on Sunday as the Grizzlies overcame a 21-point deficit to snatch a 124-121 victory at the United Center.
Talen Horton-Tucker drained a three-pointer with 56 seconds left on the shot clock to hand Chicago a one-point lead, but back-to-back shots from outside the arch, including a well-contested effort from rookie Jaylen Wells with 9.5 seconds left, saw the Grizzlies turn the game on its head to down the Bulls by three points.
In the absence of key players like Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Marcus Smart, six players finished with double-digit points for Memphis, led by Wells's 24 points (50% FG), six assists and two rebounds.
Highly-rated rookie Zack Edey, ninth overall pick in the 2024 Draft, was also a force in offence, netting 15 points with 50% shooting from the field while blocking three shot attempts in a solid contribution at the defensive end of the court.
Having kicked off pre-season with a 121-116 victory over the Dallas Mavericks six days ago, Taylor Jenkins's men now hold a 2-1 record heading into the regular season, with their only defeat coming on Friday, when they fell 119-94 against the Charlotte Hornets at the FedExForum.
The Grizzlies will follow Tuesday's matchup with a clash against the Miami Heat in their final home game of pre-season on Saturday, before tipping off the regular season campaign against the Utah Jazz in Salt Lake City on October 24.
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Team News
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The Indiana Pacers' front office have kept the core that went all the way to the Conference Final last season, agreeing a deal with restricted free agent Obi Toppin and signing Pascal Siakam to a new contract.
Myles Turner and Isaiah Jackson returned to action against Cleveland on Friday following their injury absence and Carlisle will hope that both centers can stay fit ahead of the start of the regular season.
However, Enrique Freeman sustained an injury to his right knee against the Cavs and is now a doubt for the start of the season while Jhonny Furphy is considered day-to-day as he continues his spell on the sidelines through an ankle problem.
The Memphis Grizzlies also have their share of injury woes, with floor general Morant a doubt for Tuesday's clash, having missed the last two games after picking up an ankle injury against the Mavericks last Tuesday.
Considering his injury record in the last two seasons, Jenkins will not rush his offensive leader back, with the focus being on having him ready for the regular season opener against the Jazz in two weeks.
Jackson Jr. (hamstring), GG Jackson II (foot), Cam Spencer (ankle) and Vince Williams Jr. (tibia) are all recuperating from injuries and will also sit out Tuesday's clash.
Desmond Bane, Santi Aldama, Luke Kennard and Smart could make their return in Indianapolis, having missed the Bulls clash due to rest, while Brandon Clarke was handed 13 minutes off the bench on Sunday after recovering from a knee problem.
Indiana Pacers possible starting 5:
Haliburton, Nembhard, Nesmith, Siakam, Turner
Memphis Grizzlies possible starting 5:
Smart, Bane, Aldama, Konchar, Edey
We say: Indiana Pacers to win by 5+ points.
An injury-hit Memphis Grizzlies left it late against the Chicago Bulls on Sunday but will need to show their mettle against Indiana Pacers who turned in an impressive offensive display on Friday.
While Carlisle's have struggled on defence, allowing 247 points across their opening two pre-season games, we are backing them to see off the challenge of the Grizzlies at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
Joshua Ojele
